3 Arrested on Firearms Charges Subsequent to DWI Investigation

Three individuals from Essex and Union County were taken into custody for multiple weapons offenses during the course of a motor vehicle stop on North Avenue at the Garden State Parkway Interchange, Tuesday September 20th, 2022.

At approximately 2246 hours, Officer Antonio Bellomo observed a White 2021 Dodge commit multiple motor vehicle violations in the area of North Avenue at the Garden State Parkway Entrance Ramp.  Subsequently, Officer Bellomo effected a motor vehicle stop of the Dodge on the Garden State Parkway Entrance Ramp, and Officers Christopher Folinusz and Gianna Ricerca were dispatched as his back-up.  Officer Bellomo identified the driver as Tommie Newsome, 34, of Orange NJ and the passengers as Eriadna Mentor, 31, of Elizabeth NJ and Ladohn Courtney, 41, of Roselle NJ. 

After field sobriety tests were conducted, Newsome was arrested for driving while intoxicated.  In addition, Courtney was taken into custody for an active criminal warrant out of Rahway, NJ.  A subsequent search of the Dodge led to the discovery of a loaded firearm within the passenger compartment of the vehicle.  Officer Bellomo placed the remaining passenger, Eriadna Mentor, under arrest.  Newsome, Courtney and Mentor were all arrested for possessing a loaded Taurus 9mm handgun. 

Newsome was charged with 2^nd Degree Possession of a Firearm, 2^nd Degree Certain Persons Not To Possess Firearms, Driving While Intoxicated, and multiple motor vehicle violations.  Courtney and Mentor were each charged with 2^nd Degree Possession of a Firearm, and 2^nd Degree Certain Persons Not To Possess Firearms. At the time of this arrest, all three were awaiting commitment to the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing.

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Release by D/Lt. Matthew R. Nazzaro

m-nazzaro@cranfordnj.org / 908-709-4313