Drug Deal Debt Led to FDU Student's Assault, Cops Say

Two Fairleigh Dickinson University students were charged Thursday with robbery and assault after authorities said they punched a fellow student and stole his television.

Florham Park police are still looking for a third person believed to have been involved in the incident, according to Capt. Robert Treiber.

Marquise Howard, 18, of Bear, Del., was charged with robbery, theft of movable property, simple assault, attempt to commit fencing, possession of a prohibited weapon (brass knuckles) and possession of a dangerous knife on university grounds without authorization. Oraine Brown, 22, of Maplewood, was charged with simple assault, conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit theft of movable property and conspiracy to attempt to commit fencing. 

The third suspect has not been identified, according to Treiber. He was described by Treiber as a black male, 18 or 19 years old, about 5 feet 10 inches tall with short black hair and wearing a red hooded sweatshirt.

Oraine turned himself into police and Brown was later identified, Trieber said. Both were sent to the Morris County Correctional Facility in lieu of $7,5000 for each with no 10 percent option.

Treiber said the men assaulted a Hamilton Dormitory resident who answered a knock on his dorm room door around 11:30 p.m. and was greeted by Howard, who allegedly requested  the victim pay a $40 debt for a past drug deal. When the Hamilton resident refused to pay Howard, Treiber said he and two other men, including Brown, entered the room, assaulted him with their fists and proceeded to steal his TV as payment for the debt.

The resident had visible injuries to his forehead, throat and eye but refused medical treatment, Treiber said.

Howard was arrested Friday in his dormitory room where detectives found brass knuckles and a knife in plain view. Both items were seized and he was charged accordingly, according to Treiber.

Anyone with information on the incident can call Florham Park Detectives at (973) 377-2200 or anonymously to the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stoppers at (973) COP-CALL.