Bergen County Armed Robbery Suspect Finally in Custody
The Bergen County Police Department has apprehended a man that they believe is responsible for several armed robberies over past weekend. The suspect in custody is a Camden New Jersey resident. According to the police, just prior to his apprehension, the defendant is alleged to have held up a 7-Eleven in Lodi New Jersey. The Lodi NJ Police became aware of the defendant when they saw him running from the convenience store removing what appeared to the them to be a mask. Apparently, the defendant attempted to conceal himself, by covering himself in garbage in a dumpster behind a local Boston Market. However, Officers from Hasbrouck Heights, Hackensack, Maywood and the Bergen County Police Department were able to respond and create a perimeter and that is when they discovered the defendant hiding in the dumpster. Apparently, the defendant then lead the officers to where he had stashed the gun.
The defendant is currently being held in the Bergen County Jail on a $1 million bail. In addition, several Detectives from other jurisdictions have reportedly responded to the Lodi police station in an attempt to interrogate the defendant about five (5) other armed robberies that happened in Bergen County in the last couple days. According to the detectives, two stores in Hasbrouck Heights and one store in Garfield, Lodi and Elmwood Park were held up as well.
The defendant is currently only being charged with the robbery in question, although more charges may be forthcoming. A first degree robbery in New Jersey is punishable by up to twenty years in a New Jersey State Prison. In addition, this offense is also subject to the No Early Release Act (“NERA”). Under NERA, a defendant must serve at least 85% of his sentence before he can become eligible for parole. As you can tell armed robbery is a very serious offense in New Jersey. If you or someone you know has been charged with a criminal offense like burglary, robbery, cocaine possession or any other offense for that matter, the Law Offices of Marshall, Bonus, Proetta & Oliver can help. We have over 100 years of combined experience on staff, including over twenty-five years of prior prosecuting experience. If would like a free consultation with any one of eight criminal defense attorneys on staff please contact any one of our Bergen County Offices directly at 1-800-385-6807.