By Karen Zautyk
Observer Correspondent
KEARNY –
An investigation that began in late February has resulted in the arrest of two Kearny brothers on drug and weapons charges, Kearny Police Chief John Dowie reported last week.
Dowie said the probe was launched after Vice Unit detectives developed information that drugs were being sold out of a residence on the 200 block of Chestnut St. Patrol units had also been called to the location in response to disorderly-conduct complaints from neighbors, Dowie said.
After surveillance and inquiries, detectives reportedly confirmed the sales and learned the occupants were allegedly in possession of at least one firearm.
On March 20, police applied to the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for a probable cause, no-knock search warrant, which was granted and authorized by Superior Court Judge Fred Theemling.
At 5:30 p.m., March 28, the Vice Unit, backed up by other Kearny detectives, established a security perimeter around the Chestnut St. property and then forced entry into the apartment, where they found both suspects: brothers Joshua Clark, 25, and Timothy Clark, 18.
A search of the premises yielded a safe reportedly containing six large bags of marijuana, numerous empty, smaller plastic bags, two digital scales and $233 in currency. An automatic handgun and brass knuckles were found adjacent to the safe, and a fake revolver was on a bed, police said.
Both brothers were charged with: possession of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute; intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school and 500 feet of a public property (the Kearny Public Library); possession of a weapon; possession of a firearm; possession of an imitation firearm; possession of weapons for unlawful purposes, and possession of a paging device while committing a CDS offense.
In addition, Joshua Clark had an outstanding assault warrant out of Harrison, police said.
Kearny Municipal Court Judge Thomas McKeon set bail at $10,000 for each suspect, and they were remanded to the Hudson County Jail.
