Full Notification

Newark Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose reports that four businesses, located at 305, 316 and 317A and 317B Clinton Avenue, were closed due to code enforcement violations yesterday.

The Business Task Force, comprising members of the Newark Police and Fire Divisions along with the city’s Code Enforcement Division and Health Department, conducted code enforcement inspections at 305, 315, 317A and 317B Clinton Avenue.

Two violations were issued to each business for failing to have a valid Trade Waste Permit or a valid Fire Certificate. Code Enforcement also padlocked the establishments until they obtain the necessary permits to legally reopen the businesses.

The businesses were most recently closed on Thursday, November 9th, police Detectives of the Special Enforcement Bureau responded to 303, 307 and 317 Clinton Avenue on citizen complaints of criminal activity occurring in these locations. Sufficient evidence was developed to obtain search warrants for each location.

Police arrested eight individuals and recovered $8,602.61 in proceeds from drug sales, ¾ lbs. of marijuana, 615 Xanax pills, 60 Naloxone pills and 83 Oxycodone pills during the execution of the search warrants.

Arrested at 303 Clinton Avenue are: James A. Harris, 50, of Newark, who is charged with CDS Possession (marijuana), CDS Distribution, CDS Distribution Within 1,000-ft. of a School and CDS Distribution Within 500-ft. of a Housing Complex; and Cory Lark, 49, of Newark, is charged with Contempt of Court on an outstanding warrant. Members of the Humane Society also responded to this location to remove a pit bull.

Arrested at 307 Clinton Avenue are Shakil A. Copeland, 20, Quade Wilson, 37, Olajuwon Tillery 29, and Isaiah Ketchens, 25, all of Newark. Each is charged with three counts of CDS Possession (Oxycodone, Xanax and Naloxone), CDS Distribution, CDS Distribution Within 1,000-ft. of a School and CDS Distribution Within 500-ft. of a Housing Complex.

Arrested at 317 Clinton Avenue are Devante Smith, 23, and Dominique Smith, 24, both of Newark. Each are charged with CDS Possession (marijuana), CDS Distribution, CDS Distribution Within 1,000-ft. of a School and CDS Distribution Within 500-ft. of a Housing Complex.

These charges are merely accusations. Each suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.