An off-duty Newark police officer was arrested on assault and weapons-related charges after he allegedly pointed his service weapon at a civilian, NJ Advance Media has learned.
Newark police authorities say officer Andre Evans has been reassigned pending an internal investigation of the alleged assault. (Robert Sciarrino|NJ Advance Media)NEWARK -- A veteran city police officer was reassigned from his regular duties following an off-duty incident in Woodbridge that ended with his arrest on assault and weapons-related charges, NJ Advance Media has learned.
Newark Police Department Detective Andre Evans, 41, was arrested and charged on Oct. 25 by Woodbridge police after he allegedly pointed his service weapon at a civilian during an early-morning verbal confrontation, confirmed township police spokesman Capt. Roy Hoppock.
Newark police authorities were alerted to Evans' arrest following the incident, and he has since been reassigned from his duties pending the outcome of an internal investigation of the incident, said department spokesman Sgt. Ronald Glover.
A fourteen-year police veteran, Evans rose through the ranks to eventually join the department's Gang and Narcotics Enforcement Division, according to his Linkedin profile.
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Reached by phone Thursday, Evans declined to comment on the allegations and referred questions to his attorney James Nolan. Attempts to reach Nolan for comment were unsuccessful.
According to authorities, the incident began at approximately 1 a.m. outside a township steakhouse in the 100 block of Oakwood Avenue.
Evans and a 54-year-old North Carolina man were arguing inside the restaurant parking lot when Evans allegedly pointed a firearm at the man's face, Hoppock said. The weapon appeared to be Evans's service weapon, Hoppock confirmed.
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Witness statements provided to police indicate that an employee of the restaurant was able to secure the gun until police arrived at the scene, Hoppock said. Neither Evans or the man, whose name was not released, sustained injuries during the incident, he added.
Following the incident, Evans was placed under arrest and later charged with one count each of aggravated assault and possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, Hoppock said.
Evans was later released on $20,000 bail, Hoppock said. A police investigation of the incident is ongoing, he added.
Newark police authorities declined to comment directly on the accusations against Evans. But spokesman Sgt. Ronald Glover said, "If it is found that Officer Evans' actions were criminal or violate departmental rules and regulations, the appropriate actions will be levied against him as is necessary."
Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
