A Newark resident is currently facing charges for attempted murder, robbery, burglary, and weapons offenses in Bergen County, as well as maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, and possession of marijuana in Essex County, after being apprehended on Wednesday, January 8th.
24-year-old Hassan Sly, also known as “Smoke,” an alleged member of the Crips gang, is facing charges in Bergen County in connection with a robbery and shooting that occurred at a two-family residence on Westside Avenue in Bergenfield, NJ on September 1st. According to Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli, the victims of the shooting were 21-year-old Gilbert Mercado and 30-year-old John Newcomb, both of whom are currently recovering from their injuries.
Three others have been charged in connection with the Bergenfield crimes, including 21-year-old Englewood resident Christian Nova, 24-year-old East Orange resident Zakeer Roberts, and 23-year-old Succasunna resident Mario Ferreira. Nova allegedly initiated the robbery, while Roberts and Ferreira are believed to have participated in the commission of both the robbery and shooting. Authorities have yet to locate the weapons used during the crimes, nor have they identified the suspected shooter.
The investigation and subsequent arrest of Sly was coordinated by the Newark and Bergenfield Police Departments, as well as officials from the Essex and Bergen County Prosecutor’s Offices. Sly was ultimately taken into custody by a SWAT team from the Newark Police Department at an apartment in East Orange, which was subsequently searched after authorities obtained a search warrant for the premises.
Officials reported that the East Orange search resulted in the recovery of 850 decks of heroin, multiple ounces of crack cocaine, and over one pound of marijuana, at which time investigators determined that the residence was functioning as a drug manufacturing facility. An earlier search of Sly’s residence in Newark, conducted on September 5th, resulted in the discovery of a TEC-9 assault weapon as well as heroin packaging supplies.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Sly with two counts of attempted murder,first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, and weapons offenses. In addition, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office has charged him with maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility, possession of heroin, possession of cocaine, and possession of marijuana. Sly is currently being held at the Bergen County Jail, with his bail set at $1 million.
Of the charges against him, Sly will face the most severe penalties for the attempted murder, robbery, and maintaining or operating a controlled dangerous substance production facility charges, which are all classified as first-degree offenses under the New Jersey Criminal Code. A conviction for any of these charges would subject him to a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Police nab reputed Newark gang member wanted in Bergenfield shooting
