Police arrest suspects in Orange shootings. Step up patrols in vicinity of Central Playground

In the aftermath of shootings on Sunday, April 17th  at the Central Playground, Orange Police have stepped up law enforcement in the vicinity of the playground and made arrests in connection with recent shootings in the neighborhood. Mayor Hawkins said that in order to protect children in the playground and make the Middle School area safer, patrols have been increased in the community and more detectives assigned.

Here is a summary of recent police activity in the Central Playground area. All of these arrests either were at Central Playground,  emanate from the playground, or involve neighboring Taylor, Chapman, or Hickory Streets:

April 21st: Pursuit and Arrest: Detective Lieutenant Dunn along with Detectives Malia, Imbert and Stefanelli on patrol (Scotland and Highland) for criminal activity observed a gold Audi with an out of state temporary registration affixed to vehicle disregard a traffic signal.  This vehicle also fit the description of a vehicle involved in a prior shooting incident in East Orange.  It also fit the description of the vehicle used in the April 20th playground shooting. The vehicle was pursued to the area of 23 Harvard Street, East Orange, New Jersey where it crashed into a tree.  The driver, later identified as Raphael Williams, age 26 of 111 South Harrison Street, East Orange fled was apprehended after a foot chase. 

Further investigation found that the vehicle was reported stolen from Newark.  Detectives also recovered a Ruger 9mm semi-automatic handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets, a Colt Python 357 caliber revolver fully loaded with hollow-point bullets, a pair of black gloves, sixty-six baggies of crack cocaine and three baggies of marijuana.

April 20th Arrest: Detectives Stefanelli, Cassidy, Imbert and Baptist, who were on patrol in the Central Playground area after the April 20th shooting arrested Tyrell Myricks, age 24 of 184 Chapman Street, Orange, New Jersey for active Orange warrants.

April 20th Arrest: Following the shots fired at the Playground, police responded to South Center & Taylor Streets, nearby regarding the shots.  During that investigation, no shell casings were recovered and no bullets. Officers arrested David White, age 23 of 296 North Center Street, Orange, and Gregory Polhill, age 22 of 125 North Essex Avenue, Orange, for active Orange warrants and an open Forked River, New Jersey warrant.  Both were arrested without incident, and the investigation is continuing.

April 23rd Shots Fired and Arrests: Police responded to a report of shots being fired in front of 193 Chapman Street. 4 silver 9mm shell casings were found at the site and Lakeeah May of 280 Central Avenue was detained for questioning. After Ms. May refused to cooperate in the investigation, she was arrested on an outstanding East Orange warrant. The following day, Charles McBee of 94 Dodd Street, East Orange, was arrested for the Chapman Street shooting.

Statement by Mayor Eldridge Hawkins, Jr.
“Anyone who commits violence in Orange will find that they will be arrested and their crime will be swiftly and severely punished. Our schools and playgrounds must remain safe and the shooting of children in the Central Playground has been answered by a crackdown on criminals who hang out at the playground or on the surrounding blocks.  I want to thank the officers and detectives of the Orange Police Department who are manning increased patrols in the area.”