NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A Newark man who allegedly fired multiple rounds in the air, crashed his carjacked car into a parked car and attempted to flee in front of officers was arrested Monday.
Police said Rodney Burch, 28, was seen firing a gun outside a black Nissan Sentra just before 3:40 a.m. as officers patrolled a block off Summer Avenue in Newark.
After Burch reportedly noticed the officers, he then got into the stolen Jersey City vehicle and crashed the car into a parked car on Summer Avenue and Kearney Avenue.
Authorities said he then fled on foot, throwing the gun into the backyard of a home on Summer Avenue before he was eventually arrested in the area of Kearny Street, near Summer Avenue — spitting at arresting police officers.
"I commend the patrol officers for their courage in confronting and apprehending a suspect seen brazenly firing a weapon on our streets," said Newark Public Safety Director Brian A. O'Hara. "Had it not been for their brave and swift actions, this senseless, violent incident could have resulted in tragedy."
Officers later recovered the weapon and found 34 glassine envelopes of suspected heroin.
Burch faces charges of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, discharging a weapon within the city limits, eluding, obstruction of the administration of the law, aggravated assault against a police officer and possession of controlled dangeorus substances.
