Newark New Jersey police are searching for a man who allegedly committed an armed robbery at a local residence.
The theft occurred at 3:00 a.m. The Newark Police Department received a call about a domestic violence incident and dispatched officers to the scene.
When law enforcement arrived at the Newark NJ home, which is located on 15th Avenue, they found several people who were still rattled after having been threatened and robbed.
The victims spoke with police officers and said that the suspect, a 25-year-old man from Newark, had confronted them with a handgun. The suspect then allegedly stole cell phones from the victims and fired a gunshot in the air before leaving.
The suspect, who is said to be the ex-boyfriend of one of the victims, reportedly gained access to the residence by climbing through a window.
Thankfully, no one was injured during the theft incident.
If the suspect is eventually apprehended, he will likely be charged with numerous criminal offenses, including armed robbery and aggravated assault.
A conviction on the most serious charges of armed robbery could result in severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, anyone who uses a deadly weapon such as a handgun or a knife to commit a theft can be charged with a first degree crime. A conviction for first degree armed robbery could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in NJ State Prison.
The Newark Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect. Anyone who has information about the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call the Newark Police Crime Stoppers tip line at 877-NWK-TIPS or 877-NWK-GUNS.
For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Gunman Wanted in Domestic Violence Case, Newark Cops Say.”