Asbury Park Police arrest 8 with gang ties and seize 5 handguns

Asbury Park Police continue cracking down on gang and drug related activity in the city with the arrest six men and two juveniles in separate incidents, including at a funeral repast, while seizing 5 handguns in the process.

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Sergeant Michael Casey said in a statement that through both investigations they seized two Sig Sauer and Ruger loaded 9-millimeter semiautomatic handguns, a Glock 9-millimeter handgun, a Glock .357-handgun and a Smith and Wesson .380-handgun.

Asbury Park Detectives and Patrol Sergeant Joe Leon were conducting surveillance in the Washington Avenue area along the 1200 block on May 19 around 5:20 pm due to recent shootings and drug deals taking place.

"The detail consisted of utilizing surveillance techniques to monitor this location in which known gang members would congregate and engage in narcotic distribution. Some of these gang members are also known to carry firearms for protection, intimidation, and enforcement to further their criminal activity. This surveillance detail resulted in the identification and confirmation of several gang members," Sgt. Casey said.

Sharod S. Gilliard-Twitty, 24, Ronald T. Gilliard, 28, Zhahiem T. Spann, 24, and two juveniles, 17, and 16, all of Asbury Park, were all seen leaving the area in a blue colored sedan which was then pulled over where Detective Terrence McGhee recovered two (Sig Sauer and Ruger) loaded 9-millimeter semiautomatic handguns.

Everyone inside was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Hand Gun and Possession of a Prohibited Device (Large Capacity Magazine).

GilliardTwitty was also found with Oxycodone pills and the 17-year old juvenile had crack cocaine in his possession.

Each of the suspects arrested were processed at the Asbury Park Police Headquarters and transported to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and the Middlesex County Youth Detention Center, respectively, with a court date pending.

More than three and a half hours later, Asbury Park Detective's and Patrol were assigned with monitoring a large gathering in the 10 block of Dewitt Avenue which over 100 subjects at a funeral repast of someone who had known gang affiliations.

Detective James Crawford suddenly saw observed a man later identified as Arrin S. Gatling 30, of Whiting in possession of a handgun as well as another unidentified individual.

The description of both men was relayed to officer’s in the area.

Gatling was taken into custody on scene where officers found a Glock 9-millimeter around his waistband.

While Gatling was being arrested, police said they were shouted and yelled at by a number of attendees at the repast.

Two men, one of which was identified earlier by Detective Crawford, then booked it on foot.

Patrolman Jonathan DiOrio then pursued them on foot and saw one of the men discard a firearm from their waistband.

Satif Bef Martin, 36, of Philadelphia was that man who tossed a Glock .357 handgun and he was arrested.

The other man Detective Crawford described fled as well but Sergeant Thomas Gogan found 30-year old Ameer Washington of Neptune along with a Smith and Wesson .380-handgun.

Ameer Washington-30 was also arrested for Riot-Failure to Disperse and Resisting Arrest.

He was processed and released on a summons.

Martin and Gatling were transported to Asbury Park Police Department Headquarters for processing.

Both of them were charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Prohibited Devices (Large Capacity Magazines and Dum-dum or body armor penetrating bullets).

Martin was also charged with Certain Persons not to have Weapons.

They were brought to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution with a court date pending.

"Although specific officers were mentioned, this was a collaborated and outstanding effort by all involved," Sgt. Casey said.