Just over a month of freedom and back in the clink. "Smith was released on Aug. 8 after serving just over six years and four months for aggravated manslaughter."

Jersey City cop and canine partner nab 3 suspects after late-night gunfight

Monday, September 13, 2010
By CHARLES HACK
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

A Jersey City police officer and his K-9 partner arrested three felons early yesterday when they came across shots being fired near the intersection of Martin Luther King Drive and Clinton Avenue, police said.

Officials credited Police Officer Louis Mecka and police dog Froto with chasing down and nabbing the suspects after one of the men pointed his weapon at Mecka.

The three suspects - Jose Smith, 25, of Crescent Avenue, Jidon Rogers, 28, of Park Street, and Marquis Harris, 25, of Grand Street, all of Jersey City - were charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, reports said.

Rogers and Harris were additionally charged with certain persons not to have weapons, and Smith was charged with assault on a law enforcement animal, reports said.

Mecka was on routine patrol with Froto at 3:14 a.m. when he came across a gunfight and saw at least three people firing guns, Police Lt. Edgar Martinez said.

Mecka got out of his vehicle, and when one of the suspects aimed a gun at him, Mecka fired his police handgun twice, but did not strike any of the suspects, Martinez said.

The officer then released Froto. The dog ran after Smith and tackled him, while Mecka trained his gun on the other two suspects and held them until backup officers arrived, Martinez said.

A silver revolver was found next to Smith, but no other weapons were recovered, reports said.

Martinez could not say yesterday which one of the suspects allegedly pointed a gun at Mecka.

Several spent shell casings from at least two guns, besides the police officer's weapon, were found at the scene, Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said, noting that Mecka has turned in his gun for ballistics testing but the preliminary investigation suggests the shooting was justified.

Smith was treated at Jersey City Medical Center for superficial non-life threatening wounds he sustained after Froto bit him, reports said.

All three suspects have served time in state prison, according to the state Department of Corrections website.

Smith was released on Aug. 8 after serving just over six years and four months for aggravated manslaughter.

Harris was released March 22, after serving more than eight months for drug possession and conspiracy.

Rogers, who had an outstanding warrant when he was arrested yesterday, was released on May 14, 2009 after serving two years and eight months for drug dealing on school property, according to DOC records.