NEWARK — Authorities are seeking tips from the public to find a man who shot at a Newark police officer after cops foiled an armed store robbery in the city Friday night, law enforcement officials said.
Police said the man pictured is wanted for two store robberies and shooting at a Newark officer (Photo: Dept. of Public Safety)
Three assailants were involved in the gunpoint holdup at Jackie's Kids, a clothing store on Broad Street, near Cedar Street, around 6:20 p.m., authorities said. One alleged robber, identified as Kevin Ford, was arrested at the store and two others initially escaped.
Ford, 53, of Newark, was charged with robbery and weapons offenses, according to the Essex County Prosecutor's Office. He remained held Wednesday at the county jail in lieu of $300,000 bail, records show.
Police were led to the scene when a passerby alerted officers to a possible robbery in progress and screaming at the store, according to law enforcement sources and documents. One officer stopped Ford while another suspect fled from the store. An officer chased after the fleeing robber and ordered him to stop, but the suspect pulled a gun and fired several shots at the cop, the sources said. The officer returned fire, but authorities confirmed no one was shot.
Authorities released a photo of the man suspected of shooting at the officer. Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose announced the Essex County Sheriff's Crime Stoppers program offered up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the shooter.
The same unidentified man is also wanted for an Oct. 27 gunpoint robbery of the Fallas Discount Store on West Market Street. In that holdup, three assailants stole cash and merchandise.
Police this week arrested 57-year-old Jameel Al-Mansur, of Irvington, in the Fallas Discount Store holdup, Ambrose said Wednesday. He was charged with robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses, including being a felon in possession of a gun.
Ambrose urged anyone with information to call the police division's 24-hour Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-877-NWK-TIPS (1-877-695-8477) or 1-877-NWK-GUNS (1-877-695-4867). Officials said anonymous tips are kept confidential and could lead to a reward
