Wave Of Arrests After Warrant Sweep In Newark: Charges Include Assault, Carjacking, Kidnapping

NEWARK, NJ — Newark police recently announced a wave of arrests as part of their monthly warrant roundup.

According to the Newark Department of Public Safety, nearly two dozen people accused of “violent offenses” were arrested in February.

The list of arrests included:

• Steven Charles, 34, of Orange, was arrested on February 25, 2026. He was wanted for six counts of aggravated assault, six counts of unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Bilal Brinson, 44, of Newark, was arrested on February 2, 2026. He was wanted on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Christian Luarca Gramajo, 20, of Jersey City, was arrested on February 3, 2026. He was wanted on outstanding charges of terroristic threats, burglary, two counts of simple assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (knife), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and resisting arrest.
• Thomas F. Davis, 44, of Newark, was arrested on February 3, 2026. He was wanted for carjacking.
• Godfrey Evans, 29, of Newark, was arrested on February 3, 2026. He was being sought on charges of kidnapping, carjacking, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, conspiracy, home invasion, and certain person prohibited from weapon possession.
• Ibn Abdul Stevens, 29, of Newark, was arrested on February 4, 2026. He was wanted on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (brass knuckles), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
• Mario A. Davis, 20, of Newark, was arrested on February 5, 2026. He was being sought on charges of carjacking and simple assault.
• Dayshawn Mingo, 27, of East Orange, was arrested on February 5, 2026. He was wanted on charges of robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
• Jonathan Lightsey, 50, of Orange, was arrested on February 9, 2026. He was being sought on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal mischief, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
• Andre Smith, 38, of Newark, was arrested on February 11, 2026. He was being sought on charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.
• Tiffany Buste-Crespo, 23, of Ashley, PA, was arrested on February 18, 2026. She was wanted on charges of four counts of robbery, armed robbery, four counts of aggravated assault (pointing), unlawful possession of a weapon, four counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and endangering the welfare of a child.
• Fode Fofana, 18, of Newark, was arrested on February 26, 2026. He was being sought for outstanding charges of two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of weapon possession, criminal mischief, and conspiracy.
• Naji Rauf, 30, of East Orange, was arrested on February 26, 2026. He was wanted on charges of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon (rifle), possession of prohibited weapons (large capacity magazine), conspiracy, criminal mischief, and certain persons prohibited from weapon possession.

>> READ MORE: Newark Saw Historic Drop In Murders Last Year, Car Thefts Also Down

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com