Crime & Safety

Photo Released of Man Wanted in Connection with Gang Confrontation

A felony warrant has been issued for a 19-year-old male. The incident was initially thought to be an armed robbery.

Police are searching for a 19-year-old man following a gang-related incident that was originally reported as an armed robbery on June 21, police said.

The man has been identified as Jessie Ledesma by the and police said it is believed Ledesma has no permanent residence at this time.

He is wanted on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and brandishing a weapon with gang enhancement, according to a press release issued Thursday night. A felony warrant for his arrest has been issued.

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The warrant results follows an incident in which a weapon was used to threaten a man who was mistaken for a rival gang member in front of , 5699 Mowry Ave., said Sgt. Mike Carroll in the press release.

Two minors were arrested early July in connection with the June 21 case, Carroll added. Their names were not released because of their ages. Ledesma is believed to be the primary suspect and remains at large, police said.

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All three are believed to be involved in gangs, Carroll said in an email.

The June 21 confrontation led to a that provoked a lockdown of a 6300 block of Escalonia Drive as the Newark and Union City police SWAT team searched a home where a car connected to the incident was found, police said.

A 33-year-old woman was apprehended at the time but was cited on separate charges. to read more about that incident.

Ledesma is described as a 19-year-old Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes. He is 5 feet, 10 inches tall and weighs about 210 pounds, according to Newark police. See his photo above.

Anyone with information bout Ledesma’s whereabouts is asked to call Newark Detective Shannon Todd at 510-578-4289. Anonymous tips may be called into the departments Silent Witness Hotline at 510-578-4237.

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