An 18-year-old Newark man who stole a car out of Secaucus was caught with two handguns and over 400 rounds of ammunition, with his grandmother also arrested for having an unlicensed handgun in a safe.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Malahki E. Issac, 18, of Newark, was charged with receiving stolen property (firearms), four counts of possession of a firearm by a minor, and two counts of possession of high-capacity magazines, Police Chief Dennis Miller said in a statement.
On March 14th, Issac was arrested by the Secaucus Police Department Anti-Crime Unit and charged with burglarizing and stealing from a motor vehicle in Secaucus.
Subsequent to his arrest, detectives from the Anti-Crime Unit discovered evidence that he was involved in the illegal trafficking of firearms and conducted an investigation into these crimes.
Miller and Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens announce that yesterday at approximately 12:10 p.m., detectives from the Secaucus Police Department’s Anti-Crime Unit arrested Issac on Springfield Avenue in Newark pursuant to a warrant issued for him, charging him with the aforementioned weapons charges.
Shortly thereafter, the Newark Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit secured Issac’s residence, located on the 200 block of Muhammad Ali Avenue.
Members of the Secaucus Police Department Anti-Crime Unit, Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) then conducted a court authorized search of the residence.
During the search over 400 rounds of rifle ammunition was seized, along with a Sig Sauer 9mm handgun and a Glock 22 .40 caliber handgun, which was reported stolen from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Both handguns were fully loaded with high capacity magazines. Furthermore, a search of Issac’s grandmother’s safe uncovered a .38 Special revolver that she did not lawfully acquire. Therefore, Lynda Steagell, 63, of Newark was also placed under arrest.
“I continually state that criminals who commit a crime in Secaucus that affects our residents’ quality of life are on notice that I will allow Secaucus Police Detectives to travel into any locale they need to and apprehend them and charge them with any crimes they are involved in.” Miller added.
“The arrest is yet another example of the nexus between recidivist car thieves and violent armed offenders. I am extremely proud of the Secaucus Police Anti-Crime Unit and I want to thank the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Newark Police Department and the ATF for their assistance in this case, which was only successfully because of the law enforcement collaboration.”
Stevens also expressed enthusiasm about working with the Secaucus PD to close this case.
“I thank Secaucus Police and this case shows the importance of collaboration amongst law enforcement agencies. The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office is always willing to work with our law enforcement counterparts to protect the residents of New Jersey,” he said.
Issac was lodged in the Essex County jail after being processed, while Steagell was charged with violating the regulatory provisions relating to firearms and released, pending her first appearance in court, authorities said.
