Federal Court in Newark NJFour men accused of robbing a bar in Hawthorne and then carjacking a taxi in Paterson New Jersey last Christmas could be headed to prison for a very long time if they are convicted of the crimes in federal court.

The suspects allegedly committed the crime on Christmas night, 2015. According to law enforcement, the four suspects, along with another man, started their crime spree by robbing the RD Benders bar in Hawthorne, NJ. The suspects reportedly walked into the bar just before 7:30 p.m., approached a bartender, and ordered him at gunpoint to give them money from the cash register.

The suspects allegedly got $200 in cash and a cell phone before fleeing the bar and leaving the area in a getaway car.

Roughly eight hours after the armed robbery at the Hawthorne bar, four of the suspects allegedly carjacked a taxi driver in Paterson, NJ. According to federal authorities, the suspects hailed a cab in Paterson and instructed the cabbie to drive them to Waldwick, New Jersey. Before the cab arrived at the destination, the suspects allegedly held up the cab driver at gunpoint and placed him in the back of a Dodge Caravan parked on a road in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

The robbery reportedly turned violent when the suspects slashed the victim’s throat and smashed him over the head with a beer bottle. The suspects then allegedly threw the victim on the side of the New York State Thruway in Woodbury, NJ.

The victim was later taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated him for his injuries and managed to save his life.

Police eventually captured the suspects. The four suspects accused of committing both the robbery and the carjacking attack include two men from New Jersey and two men from New York. All four suspects have been charged with several crimes, including armed robbery, use of a firearm during a crime of violence, carjacking, kidnapping, and conspiracy.

The suspects recently made appearances in U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey. Federal prosecutors alleged that the four suspects belong to the 18th Street gang, but it is unclear if their alleged gang involvement had anything to do with the violent crimes.

For more information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “4 Reputed Gang Members Charged with Robbing Bar, Carjacking Taxi.”

Wayne NJ Animal Cruelty ChargesA Wayne New Jersey man entered a guilty plea on animal cruelty charges stemming from the violent beating death of his girlfriend’s dog.

The beating occurred on March 18, 2016 during a domestic violence incident at the suspect’s home in Wayne, NJ. According to Passaic County NJ prosecutors, the suspect got into a fight with his girlfriend over the suspect’s use of illegal drugs. At some point during the verbal argument, the suspect reportedly snapped and started to violently attack a seven-month-old Siberian Husky with a chair. The attack reportedly lasted until the chair had been broken into several pieces. The dog later died as a result of injuries sustained in the assault.

The suspect is a 23-year-old man from Wayne, New Jersey. He was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, including third degree animal cruelty and third degree terroristic threats.

If the suspect had fought the charges and gone to trial in Passaic County Superior Court, he would have been subject to severe penalties. Under the NJ Criminal Code, third degree felonies carry a possible sentence of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

However, the suspect did not go to trial. Instead, he reached a plea agreement with Passaic County prosecutors. Under the terms of the plea deal, the suspect pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and terroristic threats, while the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office agreed to recommend that the suspect be sentenced to just one year in the county jail.

The suspect recently made an appearance in Passaic County Superior Court and formally pleaded guilty to the criminal charges.

The suspect is expected to serve 364 days in the Passaic County Jail. He will then be on probation for a period of five years after he completes his sentence.

For additional information about this case, read the NJ.com article, “Man Admits Beating Girlfriend’s Puppy to Death, Report Says.”

Clifton New Jersey Robbery LawyersClifton New Jersey police arrested a man who allegedly tried to commit a robbery on a city street. Police apprehended the suspect after his alleged victim fought back and disarmed him.

The scary situation unfolded around 10:15 p.m. in a parking lot located around Harrison Place and Ackerman Avenue in Clifton, NJ. The victim, a 40-year-old Bronx NY man, went to the area to purchase a computer from the suspect. The sale was arranged through Craigslist, with the suspect reportedly agreeing to sell a computer to the victim.

When the victim got to the meeting location, the suspect allegedly walked up to him and aimed a handgun directly at his head. The suspect reportedly covered his face with a mask.

The suspect allegedly ordered the victim to give up his wallet and money, but the victim responded by disarmed the suspect during a struggle. The suspect was reportedly seen running away and fleeing the scene on foot.

Clifton NJ police officers later located and captured the suspect. He has been charged with numerous crimes, including armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

If the suspect is convicted of armed robbery, he would be subject to severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1, a person who commits a theft while using a deadly weapon like a handgun or a knife can be charged with a first degree crime. A conviction on first degree armed robbery charges could lead to a sentence of 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Man Disarms Would-Be Craigslist Robber.”

Paterson New Jersey Robbery SuspectsTwo Passaic County NJ men were apprehended after allegedly committing an armed robbery on a street in North Bergen, New Jersey.

According to authorities, the suspect set up a meeting with the victim in North Bergen in order to buy a car from him. However, when the victim showed up at the meeting place, the suspects reportedly used a handgun to rob him.

Afterwards, the victim contacted local law enforcement and alerted them to the robbery. Police soon identified the likely culprits as a 21-year-old Paterson man and a 23-year-old North Haledon NJ man. A short time later, authorities located and arrested the suspects.

The suspects have been charged with a number of crimes, including robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and obstruction of justice. The suspects face the obstruction charges because they allegedly ran from the arresting officers.

Additionally, the Paterson NJ suspect faces criminal charges for illegal handgun possession and a certain persons offense for being a convicted felon illegally carrying a firearm.

If the suspects are convicted on the most serious charges of armed robbery, they could be sentenced to as many as 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.

After being placed under arrest and charged, both suspects were transported to the Hudson County Jail in Kearny, New Jersey. They were each being held at the jail on separate $200K bail amounts.

For more information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Passaic County Pair Charged in North Bergen Armed Robbery.”

Paterson NJ Animal Cruelty ArrestPolice investigators have identified a “person of interest” in the case of a dog that died after being abused and violently thrown from a car on a street in Paterson, NJ.

According to authorities, the dog was thrown from a vehicle driving on Granite Avenue in Paterson last weekend.

Witnesses who saw the incident dialed 911 and contacted the Paterson Police Department, which sent police officers to the scene. Police later found a severely emaciated dog that appeared to be the victim of dog abuse. According to officials with the SPCA, the Shih Tzu dog weighed just six pounds – a far cry from the average weight of 20 pounds for a dog of this type.

The dog was treated by animal rescue teams at an animal shelter in Oakland, New Jersey. Tragically, the treatment did not save the dog’s life. Officials later indicated that the cause of death was abuse and chronic neglect.

Detectives with the Paterson Police Department recently identified the suspect and arrested him. He will probably be subject to criminal charges for animal cruelty. It is also possible that the suspect could face enhanced penalties because the New Jersey Criminal Code stipulates that animal cruelty charges can be upgraded when the dog abuse victim dies.

To learn more about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Animal-Cruelty Charges to Be Upgraded Following Death of ‘Grant.’”

West Milford NJ Theft Crime AttorneysPolice arrested two individuals who allegedly committed a burglary spree throughout Passaic County, NJ

The suspects are a 38-year-old man and his 34-year-old wife, both of whom are from West Milford, New Jersey. According to law enforcement officials, the two suspects burglarized at least five residences located in West Milford and Ringwood. The suspects are said to have used a flathead screwdriver to open window and gain access to the houses.

West Milford Police Department detectives and Ringwood Police Department detectives conducted a joint investigation into the burglary spree and eventually identified the suspects after getting a tip about a suspicious car parked on a West Milford NJ street.

Police officers staked out the area and followed the suspects as they reportedly drove a gray Honda Civic to a jewelry store located in Oakland, New Jersey. The suspects allegedly intended to sell some of the stolen items at the jewelry store.

When law enforcement searched the suspects’ vehicle, they reportedly found several stolen valuables, as well as burglary tools.

The suspects were subsequently arrested and charged with five counts of burglary, five counts of theft of movable property, and five counts of criminal mischief.

After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspects talked to detectives and reportedly admitted to having committed the burglaries and thefts.

For more information about this case, check out the NorthJersey.com article, “West Milford Couple Charged with Five Counts of Burglary.”

Paterson NJ Armed Robbery LawyersA Paterson NJ man who was already facing felony charges now faces attempted murder charges after police tied him to a recent shooting.

According to authorities, the suspect tried to kill someone while committing an armed robbery on October 8, 2016. The suspect allegedly approached the victim as he walked in the area of the intersection of Sparrow Street and Highland Street and robbed him. During the armed robbery, the suspect reportedly brandished a handgun and fired a gunshot at the victim. The suspect then allegedly ran from the scene.

The Paterson Police Department got a report of gunshots being fired and sent cops to the scene. When Paterson NJ police officers arrived in the area, they found the victim lying on the pavement and suffering from a serious gunshot wound to the hip. The victim was subsequently taken to a nearby hospital and treated for his injuries.

The Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office and the Paterson Police Department Ceasefire Unit worked together on an investigation into the shooting and soon identified the suspect as the probable shooter.

Authorities then found the suspect in police custody at the Passaic County Jail. He was being held at the correctional facility on unrelated criminal charges.

The 21-year-old suspect, who resides in Paterson, has now been charged with attempted murder, armed robbery, and multiple weapons offenses.

As a result of the additional criminal charges, a superior court judge increased the suspect’s bail amount to $250,000.

For more information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Man Charged with Attempted Murder in Paterson Shooting, Report Says.”

Paterson NJ Homicide LawyersA murder suspect apprehended in South Carolina two weeks ago has now been extradited to Paterson, New Jersey, where he will be subject to first degree murder charges.

The suspect allegedly shot and killed a Paterson NJ man on August 30, 2016. According to authorities, the suspect committed the murder in the area of 12th Avenue and East 23rd Street in Paterson, NJ. The victim was walking on 12th Avenue when the suspect allegedly used a handgun to fire gunshots in his direction.

The victim was later pronounced dead as a result of his gunshot-related wounds. He was just 29 years old when he died.

Law enforcement conducted an investigation into the homicide and eventually located the suspect in South Carolina, where he was placed under arrest. It took a couple of weeks, but the suspect was eventually extradited from South Carolina to Passaic County, New Jersey.

After being moved from South Carolina to Paterson NJ, the suspect was ordered held at the Passaic County Jail on a bail of $1 million.

The suspect faces numerous criminal charges in Passaic County Superior Court, including first degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and various weapons offenses.

Another suspect in the homicide case is a 32-year-old Paterson NJ man. He is also currently being held at the Passaic County Jail.

For more information about this case, read the NorthJersey.com article, “Sheriff: Bail Set at $1 Million for Paterson Murder Suspect.”

Paterson NJ Aggravated Assault LawyersPaterson law enforcement is currently investigating a police shooting that occurred outside the Paterson NJ police headquarters and left one person with serious injuries.

According to Passaic County officials, the shooting incident happened on Saturday night near 111 Broadway in downtown Paterson, New Jersey. A Paterson cop reportedly drew his police-issued handgun and used it to shoot a civilian.

The civilian reportedly sustained serious injuries as a result of the shooting incident. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where doctors treated him for his gunshot wounds.

Meanwhile, officers with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Shooting Response Team investigated the shooting incident. Additionally, Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office detectives are also looking into the shooting and attempting to determine exactly what happened. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office has already stated that the shooting scene was secured shortly after the incident and that the investigation is “active and ongoing.”

At this time, authorities have not revealed whether the injured civilian may have done anything to provoke the shooting by the Paterson police officer. For example, there has been no word on whether the civilian presented a threat to the officer or was committing some other kind of crime prior to being shot.

For further information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “1 Injured after Cop-Involved Shooting outside Paterson Police HQ.”

Paterson New Jersey Luring AttorneysPaterson New Jersey police are investigating reports of an adult male trying to lure students into a car at a local elementary school.

According to law enforcement, the suspect was spotted driving a black Honda in the vicinity of the New Roberto Clemente School on Market Street in Paterson, NJ. Several underage students at the Paterson school told parents and school officials that the suspect attempted to get them inside the car.

Police have been conducting an investigation for the past few weeks and were able to determine that the suspect’s vehicle was probably stolen. Investigators made that determination after getting the license plate number for the motor vehicle.

The suspect has also been accused of trying to lure students at other Paterson schools in recent weeks.

The New Roberto Clemente School principal sent a message to parents and asked that parents make sure their children don’t walk to or from school by themselves.

If and when Paterson authorities are able to identify and arrest the suspect, he would likely face serious criminal charges for luring. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:13-6, anyone who attempts to lure or entice a child into a car with a purpose to commit a crime with or against the child can be charged with a second degree felony. A conviction for second degree luring could result in a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

For further information about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Luring Incident at Paterson School under Investigation.”