Police seeking last suspect in football brawl
Suspect identified from video of game; five others already charged
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer

EDISON - Edison police are searching for a man suspected of being involved in a brawl at a Pop Warner football game last month. He is one of six people identified by authorities, and is the last one of the six to be formally arrested and charged.

Ibn R. Swinton is a suspect in an incident that police say took place on Aug. 18 during the Mayor's Cup football game between the Edison Jets and North Edison Shamrocks, held at J.P. Stevens High School.

According to Lt. Joseph Shannon of the Edison Police Department, two separate groups of people had had problems with each other at the game and "had words." The war of words eventually escalated into a brawl, with 12 to 15 people participating, police said. When police arrived at the scene, most people had dispersed. The game was shut down as a result.

Someone, however, had taped the whole incident, and police used the video footage as evidence.

"It took a while, but … the combatants were identified, and basically everyone that could have been identified as taking part in that fight were then held accountable for their actions," said Shannon.

Edison resident Randall B. Baker, 18, was arrested and charged with rioting; he posted $25,000 bail on Sept. 7. Also identified and charged were four juveniles, all Edison residents, and they are currently going through the juvenile court process.

Swinton, whose last known address is on Lyle Place in Edison, remains at large. Shannon said there is a warrant out for his arrest, charging him with rioting.

"We're trying to find him," said Shannon.