16 gang members arrested on drugs, firearms charges

Authorities say 16 members of an Elizabeth street gang were arrested on numerous criminal, drug and firearms charges.

Acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said a six-month investigation led to the arrest  of members of the Grape Street set of the Crips street gang starting Nov. 25. Kelli Cooper, 25, aka "Coop" was the first to be arrested along with two other gang members: Tylik Askew, 27, of Piscataway and Rahjan Pearson, 30, of Elizabeth.

Their arrests led to the execution of the remaining warrants and the seizure of quantities of cocaine, heroin, and prescription pills, plus a loaded AK-47 rifle, a 9 mm handgun, drug packaging materials and multiple pieces of gang paraphernalia.

Others arrested include: Basir Richardson, 25, Lamar Franklin, 28, Naim Franklin, Jr., 18, Lafell Randolph, 19, Damond Dewalt, 23, Ibn Spivey, 23, Jakiel McClinton, 26, Christopher Green, 30, Rahjan Pearson, 30,Jermaine McDougald, 33, Joel Marelis, 31, and all of Elizabeth and Tony Smallwood, 43 Varrod Parker, 32, of Roselle.

Bail was set at $500,000 each and are at the Union County Jail. The suspects could face between 5 and 20 years in prison.