A 54-year-old Englewood man walking along Second Street was robbed by two men who approached him from behind on Jan. 1, 2016. Watch video
ENGLEWOOD - Reports of gunshots before and after a man was robbed on New Year's Day led police to four men they say were in illegal possession of a .40-caliber handgun, authorities said Monday.
Shots were first fired about 8:10 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1 in the area of the Rock Creek Terrace housing complex on the east side of the city, according to police. When officers arrived, however, they found no shell casings, no property damage and no injuries.
Less than an hour later, a 54-year-old Englewood man walking along Second Street was robbed by two men who approached him from behind.
One of the men pulled a handgun while the other took the man's wallet containing cash, police said.
Both suspects fled on foot.
Police searched the area with a K-9, but the suspects were not found.
Six hours later, at about 2:05 a.m., police received another report of gunshots fired in the Rock Creek Terrace housing complex.
This time, officers say they found four people walking on Jones Road, near the rear and east side of the complex.
"They were stopped and it was determined that the group had knowledge of the shooting and that they had discarded a handgun as the officers were approaching them," Det. Captain Timothy Torell said in a statement.
Torell said the weapon was a loaded .40-caliber handgun.
Police said the four had attempted to flee in two vehicles parked less than a block from where they were found.
"Both vehicles were searched and evidence was recovered," Torell said.
"We do believe that there is an ongoing dispute between at least one of the four arrested and other Englewood residents that reside in or frequent Rock Creek," Torell said in the statement.
"We are also looking into whether any of the arrested individuals may be linked, in any way, to the armed robbery on Second Street," Torell said.
Police said they do not believe the suspects are connected to a drive-by shooting in the city that occurred last month.
Arrested and held at the Bergen County Jail were:
- Jason Eaves, 26. Eaves was charged with one count of second-degree illegal handgun possession and one count of second-degree possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Bail was set at $70,000, no 10 percent option.
- Patrick Sellers Jr., 26. Sellers was charged with one count of second-degree illegal handgun possession. Bail was set at $35,000 with no 10 percent option.
- Varian Hooks, 25. Hooks was charged with one count of second-degree illegal handgun possession and one count of second-degree possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Bail was set at $70,000 with no 10 percent option. Hooks was also charged on an unrelated outstanding Englewood arrest warrant and an unrelated Bergen County Child Support arrest warrant, police said.
- Daivon Hooks, 21. Daivon Hooks was charged with one count of second-degree illegal handgun possession. Bail was set at $35,000 with no 10 percent option.
Police ask that anyone with information about the robbery call Englewood CrimeStoppers at 1-844-466-6789.
Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.