Police Blotter: Dog Defends 12-Year-Old in Alleged Robbery

June 9

Kwaku Agyemangdua, a 23-year-old Newark resident, was arrested for marijuana possession following a 10:58 p.m. traffic stop.

Agyemangdua was driving erratically near 50 Watchung Ave., police said. Following a motor-vehicle stop, officers allegedly discovered a pink baggie containing marijuana. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS) and released.

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At 9:06 p.m., a resident of 19 Sanford Ave. told police someone had tried to enter the home. A chain on a back door had been broken, but police believe no one entered the residence and nothing was reported stolen.

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Two township men -- one armed with pocketknife and the other with a golf club  -- were arrested on assault and weapons charges at around 9:07 p.m., police said.

Responding to a disturbance call at 26 Fairway Ave., police reportedly found Philip Alvarez, 34, and Bien Popan, 52, in the street, with both suffering from cuts and bruises. After determining the two had been fighting, police took both men into custody and charged each with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Both were held on $2,500 bail.

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June 8

A resident of 121 Carpenter St. called police around 7:48 p.m. and reported that lawn statues had been taken from the front yard of the home. Reported stolen were a Buddha statue, an angel statue and a frog statue, all with a combined value of about $200, police said.

June 7

Newark resident Christopher Morales, 23, was arrested at around 11:04 p.m. after police allegedly saw him smoking a marijuana cigar.

Morales was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle when a patrol car in the right lane pulled alongside near Franklin Avenue and Joralemon Street, police said. When police allegedly saw Morales smoke the cigar, they pulled the vehicle over. He was arrested for possession of CDS and later released.

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A resident of 38 Memphis Ave. called police at 11:47 a.m. and reported a burglary.

The victim told police when she returned home, she noticed two Dell laptop computers, an iPod and a PS3 game system had been taken. The estimated value of the items is $2,080.

June 6
The residents of 62 Sanford Ave., who were moving from the address, called police at 9:30 p.m. and notified them someone had listed the address as available for rent on Craigslist. The sale of the property, however, is being handled by another Realtor, the residents told police. The matter is being investigated.

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At 2:18 p.m., the owner of 371 Union Ave. reported a burglary and theft.

The owner called police after noticing that a first-floor window was open at the home. Discovered missing were a video game system, jewelry and an Xbox with a combined estimated value of $2,500.

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At 10:38 a.m., a burglary and theft were reported at 120 Mill St.

The homeowner discovered a small bathroom window open and several missing items of jewelry as well as a pair of sunglasses.

June 5

James Colson, 20, of Belleville was arrested for disorderly conduct after police responded to a disturbance call at 4:39 a.m.

Police received a report a group was fighting near 141 Joralemon St. When officers arrived and attempted to quell the situation, Colson continued to yell at the officers, police said. After reportedly ignoring police requests to leave the area, Colson was arrested and later held on $500 bail.

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Two Newark men were arrested after they allegedly tried to rob a 12-year-old township boy, a crime thwarted by the boy’s dog, police said.  

The incident occurred near 35 Prospect Place. 

The youth was out with his dog at around 9:48 p.m. when Richard Gonzalez, 18, and Mark Figueroa, 20, approached him from behind and pushed him against a wall, police said. One the assailants then reportedly held a sharp object to the victim’s chest and demanded his cellphone.

The victim’s dog then attacked the assailants, forcing them to run from the scene. They were caught a short time later, police said. Gonzalez and Figueroa were each charged with armed robbery and held on $100,000 bail.  

June 4

Angel Colon, an 18-year-old township man, was arrested around 7:03 p.m. on a drug charge.

As patrol officers drove by a car parked near School 8, the operator of the vehicle suddenly shut the engine off, police said. The occupants of the car were also reportedly acting suspiciously. After officers approached the vehicle, they reportedly found a baggie of marijuana on the floor by the rear seat, where Colon was sitting. He was charged with possession of CDS and later released.