Mahwah police vehicle stop nets suspect wanted for attempted murder, gang violence

Marsha A. Stoltz, NorthJersey.com
Updated ·2 min read

MAHWAH — A motor vehicle stop ended with the arrest of an attempted-murder suspect also wanted in connection with a two-year investigation into gang violence by the Queens District Attorney in New York.

Hakeem E. Jamison, 28, of Queens, was taken into custody following a stop on Monday at 10:15 a.m. by Officer John Lange. The officer said he observed the driver of a 2005 Mercedes E500 with Vermont plates make a number of motor vehicle violations and stopped it at the intersection of routes 17 and 287. Jamison was a passenger in the vehicle.

Capt. Guido Bussinelli said the driver, Jill Steele, 44, of Georgia, Vermont, gave conflicting stories to the officer while Jamison refused to identify himself. Police Sgt. Richard Albro responded to assist Lange with the motor vehicle stop, and a K-9 unit was called in for a probable-cause search.

NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a February press conference announcing indictments of 23 alleged members of warring gangs in two Queens public housing developments.
NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a February press conference announcing indictments of 23 alleged members of warring gangs in two Queens public housing developments.

Bergen County Sheriff’s Officer Dario Terrana and K-9 Armani conducted an exterior search of the vehicle, resulting in a positive indication for a controlled dangerous substance. A search of the vehicle interior was conducted and Lange located cocaine in excess of 5 ounces, according to the police report.

At this time, both occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest and transported to the Mahwah police station. During the processing phase, Jamison provided Lange with his identification. An inquiry indicated Jamison was wanted for attempted murder in Queens, which was confirmed by the New York Police Department.

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Jamison and Steele were subsequently transported to the Bergen County Jail and transferred to the custody of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department pending a first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court. The NYPD Warrant Squad confirmed that it will extradite Jamison for the attempted murder charge/warrant.

Jamison was among 23 alleged members of warring factions of the Crips street gang indicted by Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in February following a two-year investigation into violence at two Queens public housing projects. The majority of the defendants were arraigned in February and ordered to return to court in March by Queens Supreme Court Justice Stephanie Zaro.

The 85-count indictment included charges of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment and gun possession. Jamison was charged with attempted second-degree murder and "other crimes."

In the Mahwah warrants, Jamison and Steele were charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine in a quantity of 5 ounces or more, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of a synthetic cannabinoid.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Mahwah police stop nets attempted murder, gang violence suspect