Armed Standoff At Secaucus Motel; Motel Staff Evacuated

Secaucus NJ

15 March, 2021

2:27 PM

Description

SECAUCUS, NJ — There was an armed standoff at the Extended Stay motel in Secaucus Sunday night, where even the Jersey City bomb squad had to be called in after the suspects said they had a hand grenade. Secaucus Police received a tip that Newark resident Rahim Harris, wanted on outstanding illegal gun warrants out of Essex County, was staying at the Secaucus hotel at 1 Plaza Drive. He was also wanted in Pennsylvania for failure to appear. Just before 7 p.m. Sunday night, Secaucus Police and the Hudson County Sheriff set up a perimeter around the hotel. Also, the Hudson County SWAT team was mobilized. Police called the room's phone and a woman staying in Harris' room, Haneefha S. White, spoke with police but refused to leave the hotel room. Negotiators from the Hudson County Regional SWAT Team were called in. During the negotiations White and Harris told police they had guns and at least one hand grenade and "expressed their desire for a violent confrontation with police, said Secaucus Police. "Due to the inherent danger of potential explosives, a full evacuation of the Extended Stay Hotel was undertaken and the Jersey City Police Department's Bomb Squad responded. Evacuees were transported by a New Jersey Transit bus to other nearby hotels," said police. At approximately 1:56 a.m., White surrendered to police, without police resorting to any force. Negotiations continued with Harris who surrendered to police at 2:29 a.m., also without police resorting any force. A search of the room unearthed one hand grenade (found to be inert/dead) and the following weapons were recovered: .223 caliber, American Tactical Milisport, semi-automatic rifle loaded with 30 rounds, stolen .357 caliber Glock Model 32 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 22 rounds, loaded .40 caliber Smith and Wesson SD40VE semi-automatic handgun, 5.7 caliber FN Herstal model 57 semi-automatic handgun loaded with 20 armor piercing rounds, loaded .380 caliber Taurus Model PT738 semi- automatic handgun, .223 caliber Sig Saur Rattler semi-automatic rifle loaded with a 60 round "drum" magazine, loaded 12 gauge Mossberg Model 500 pump action shotgun and a loaded .410 Gauge American Tactical, Omni-Hybrid semi-automatic rifle. Additionally, $36,910 in cash was seized. White was found in possession of suspected pills of ecstasy and a fake Florida driver's license, said police. "This is another example of negotiation and de-escalation tactics and training leading to a non-violent conclusion without any use of force," said Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez."I commend the women and men of all agencies who responded for their professionalism in this incident which also resulted in the removal of numerous illegal firearms." Harris, 42 of Newark and White, 39 of Johnstown, PA, were both charged with multiple illegal gun charges, possession of high-capacity magazines, possession of armor piercing ammunition and money laundering. White was additionally charged with two counts of drug possession. Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe Contact this reporter: [email protected]