ENGLEWOOD — Two people were arrested Thursday as part of a months-long crackdown following an uptick in city shootings, officials said.
Tahref Folkes (L.) and Briana Sampler (R.)BCPO
Tahref Folkes, 26, and Briana Sampler, 23, both of Oakland Street, were arrested as part of “Operation Safe City,” Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said in a release.
The operation was launched six months ago in response to an increase in shootings in the city. Between April 2015 and January 2017, there were 31 shootings in Englewood, according to Grewal.
Working with the Englewood Police Department and Bergen County Sheriff’s Office, the prosecutor’s office worked to curb the violence.
During an investigation, Folkes was identified as a person of interest in several shootings, Grewal said. A search warrant was executed at Folkes residence Friday, which netted two loaded firearms, including an AR-15 style assault rifle, and numerous rounds of ammunition.
Folkes was charged with numerous weapons offenses as well as endangering the welfare of a child and resisting arrest. Sampler, who was found with drugs intended for distribution, was charged with drug offenses and endangering the welfare of a child, Grewal said.
Since the operation’s start in October 2016, 21 people have been arrested. Seven illegal guns and a large number of drugs have also been recovered, Grewal said.
Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
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