On Wednesday, four suspects were arrested after allegedly committing an armed robbery of a mail carrier using a stolen Nissan. The car was later spotted speeding through Bloomfield, New Jersey, sparking a police chase that led to their eventual arrest.
Bloomfield Police Chief George Ricci explained that one of his detectives initially saw the stolen vehicle in Belleville and attempted to stop it. “Given that this was a felony, our police officers were entitled to chase,” Ricci said.
The High-Speed Pursuit Through Multiple Cities
The suspects, consisting of two women and two men, led police on a wild chase through Newark and East Orange. During the pursuit, the stolen Nissan hit at least two other cars, creating chaos on the roads. Eventually, the car broke down near Summit Street, forcing the suspects to abandon the vehicle and try to escape on foot.
Police quickly acted, capturing one suspect hiding behind another car and arresting the remaining suspects nearby. Video footage from the scene shows officers tackling one of the suspects as they attempted to flee.
Who Are the Suspects?
Authorities identified the suspects as:
- Tarik Dunbar (23 years old)
- Shakir Tinney (22 years old)
- Conna Richburg (19 years old)
- Jaylisa Varnor (19 years old)
No injuries were reported during the police pursuit or in the crashes caused by the suspects.
Charges Filed Against the Suspects
All four suspects were charged with receiving stolen property and resisting arrest. In addition, Conna Richburg faces charges for eluding police. The authorities also mentioned that because the robbery involved a federal mail truck, federal charges may be filed after an investigation by the postal inspector.
Potential Federal Consequences
Chief Ricci highlighted the seriousness of the crime due to the nature of the stolen property. “It’s personal mail—credit card information, social security info—everything a criminal can use for their benefit,” Ricci said. Since the crime involved a federal mail carrier, the suspects could face severe legal consequences if federal charges are filed.
The high-speed chase ended with police successfully capturing all four suspects before anyone was harmed. With local and federal authorities involved, the suspects could face a long list of charges related to mail theft and the chase. Chief Ricci emphasized that crimes involving federal mail are taken seriously, warning criminals that they will be held accountable for such offenses.
