Police Searching for Man Accused of Posing as Taxi Driver and Robbing Fare in Hackettstown
Morris County and Sussex County police are searching for a man who reportedly posed as a taxi driver and robbed his fare. The incident happened late at night: the suspect picked up the victim outside a Dover restaurant when the victim requested a cab ride. According to law enforcement, the suspect pretended to be a cab driver so that he could lure the victim into the vehicle. The victim reportedly needed a ride from the Dover restaurant to an unspecified location in Hackettstown in Sussex County, New Jersey.
The “taxi ride” ended when the car pulled up to a Quick Chek on Mountain Avenue in Hackettstown, NJ. The suspect then allegedly aimed a silver handgun at the victim and threatened to shoot unless he handed over money. The victim the suspect cash and then got out of the car.
The suspect drove away from the area and the victim notified Hackettstown police. Officers soon arrived at the scene, but the suspect was gone. Now detectives with the Hackettstown Police Department and the Sussex County Prosecutor’s Office are working with police departments in Morris County to investigate the theft offense.
NJ Armed Robbery Charges: Penalties for Theft & Weapons Offenses
The Dover robbery suspect is said to be an “older male” who is Hispanic. He reportedly drove a silver Ford Crown Victoria or Mercury Grand Marquis that did not have a taxi company logo on the side. Police are actively investigating and trying to determine the suspect’s identity.
If the suspect is captured, he would probably be charged with multiple crimes: armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. The robbery charges would be the most serious because the suspect allegedly used a firearm. N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 classifies robbery as a first degree crime when the offender attempts to kill someone, purposely inflicts or attempts to inflict serious bodily injury, or uses a deadly weapon such as a gun or knife. (Robbery is typically classified as a second degree crime under NJ law.) In this armed robbery case, the suspect could face first degree felony charges and face 10-20 years in New Jersey State Prison if convicted.
Call the Tormey Law Firm to Speak with an Experienced Morris County Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your Robbery Charges
A robbery charge needs to be taken seriously because it can result in severe penalties. If you or a loved one has been charged with robbery in Morris County, New Jersey, you need to talk to an aggressive criminal defense attorney immediately. Travis Tormey is an experienced criminal lawyer who helps clients fight robbery charges in Morris County, Sussex County, and Warren County, NJ. Contact Attorney Tormey today to start your defense.