Paterson police seize four handguns in three separate incidents
By Jonathan Greene
Published: May 21, 2021
The police arrested five people, seizing four handguns, in three separate incidents, according to public safety director Jerry Speziale.
Francisco DeJesus, 19, of Hawthorne; Shaquille Brewington, 27, of Paterson; Diarre Chitty, 21, of Passaic City; Rhosheen Mayes, 18, of Paterson; and Rasheed Thomas, 19, of Paterson, were arrested on various weapons offense.
DeJesus allegedly had a loaded Ruger .380 caliber semi-automatic handgun on Wednesday. Police observed him on Sparrow and Highland streets at around 8:30 p.m. He was a person of interest in a previous firearm incident in the area.
Police arrested him without an incident.
Brewington allegedly had a Taurus 9mm semi-automatic handgun and packets of heroin on Thursday at around 9:05 p.m. He was observed on North 1st Street when police responded to report of two shots fired in the area.
Brewington fled. He allegedly entered a rear yard on North Straight Street and discarded the handgun and continued to run. He was eventually arrested on Watson Street. He was charged with weapons offenses, resisting arrest, and heroin possession.
Chitty, Mayes, and Thomas were arrested in the area of 200 Lafayette Street at around 11:10 p.m. on Thursday.
Police observed a black Mercedes-Benz on East 19th Street allegedly committing several motor vehicle violations, including disregarding a stop sign. Police got behind the vehicle to conduct a motor vehicle stop.
The vehicle pulled into a gas station on Lafayette Street. Police observed a gun inside the vehicle.
All three occupants were ordered out of the vehicle.
Thomas allegedly tried to resist arrest.
Chitty, Mayes, and Thomas were each charged with weapons offenses. Chitty was additionally charged with certain persons not to have a firearm.
Thomas was also charged with resisting arrest.
Police seized a Springfield arms 9mm semi-automatic handgun and a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun from the trio.