On Friday evening, January 10, 2020, at about 11:38, a Newark Police Officer on patrol noticed a group of five males that appeared to be smoking marijuana outside of the Red Roof Inn, located at 1119 South College Avenue, according to Lt Andrew Rubin.
Rubin said the officer ordered the males to stop and they fled. Some of the males fled into the building while one fled on foot across Old Cooches Bridge Road. The officer pursued this male into the rear yard of a residence in the 1100 block of Old Cooches Bridge Road where the male was taken into custody without further incident.
The man, later identified as Philip Harris-Randolph, 20, of Smyrna was found to have discarded a handgun as he fled on foot. The handgun, which was loaded, was recovered next to a residence, according to Rubin.
Harris-Randolph was transported to Newark Police Headquarters where he was charged with the following offenses:
Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon
Tampering With Physical Evidence
Resisting Arrest
Criminal Trespass Third Degree
Harris-Randolph appeared before Justice of the Peace Court #11 by video and was released on $25,000 unsecured bond.