Wayne New Jersey police recently arrested a local man accused of using a handgun to commit an armed robbery outside a ShopRite grocery store.

According to law enforcement, the robbery went down around midnight in the parking lot of the ShopRite grocery store on Hamburg Turnpike in Wayne, NJ.

The suspect is a 19-year-old male from Wayne, New Jersey. He reportedly walked up to the victim just outside the ShopRite grocery store, where the victim was standing while he waited for his girlfriend to end her work shift.

The suspect allegedly lifted up his shirt to reveal a handgun, which he then grabbed and pointed at the victim. The suspect then allegedly ordered the victim to give him cash and other valuables.

The victim then fought back and grabbed a knife that he carries around for protection. The suspect reportedly ran off and got into a silver Lexus SUV that was parked in the ShopRite parking lot. The suspect was seen driving away and headed in the direction of Pike Drive and Ratzer Road in Wayne, NJ.

The victim contacted the Wayne Police Department, which sent police officers to the scene to look for the suspect. A short time later, a Wayne New Jersey cop spotted the suspect wearing bloody clothing and walking along Ratzer Road.

The suspect was arrested and charged with first degree armed robbery.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the first degree armed robbery charges, he would be subject to significant penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a defendant convicted of committing a theft while using a deadly weapon like a handgun or knife can be sentenced to 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

After being arrested and processed, the suspect was taken to the Passaic County Jail. He was being held at the correctional facility in lieu of $200,000 bail.

For additional information about this case, view the NJ.com article, “Man Accused of Using Gun in Robbery outside Wayne Supermarket.”