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BY TOM CLANCEY
OF NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
Englewood, New Jersey — A suspect in an April 21 chain snatching robbery is in custody and Englewood police detectives are “working non-stop” on three robbery cases from that day that they believe may be related.
Here’s what we know:
• A 44-year-old resident of Liberty Road was beaten in the head with a gun while being robbed in his driveway by two suspects described as black males, believed to be in their 20s, one taller than the other. The shorter man was said to have a curly afro on top with shaved sides. They fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
• About three hours after the first incident, a 17-year-old boy was walking near West Palisade Avenue and Cross Street when he was beaten by four men who robbed him of cash and fled in a westerly direction.
• Then, about 35 minutes later, another 17-year-old had his chain snatched while walking home along Tenafly Road, near Charles Street, by two suspects described as black males, one shorter and one taller. The taller suspect was described as being over 6 feet tall, heavyset with long, shaggy sideburns.
“The investigations into these robberies are very active and we believe that at least two of them may be related,” Englewood Police Detective Capt. Timothy Torell told Northern Valley Press, while sharing the details of the investigations. “We are still recovering video footage and looking into a number of suspects.”
All of the victims were Hispanic, Torell noted.
Torell said police have arrested and charged a 17-year-old boy from Englewood with second degree robbery by force in connection with the chain snatching incident.
“Charges were filed, after we retrieved video footage connected with the robbery, while the juvenile was still in custody at our headquarters after being arrested earlier in the day, by Patrol Sgt. Oscar Hernandez, for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute less than 1,000 feet from the Dr. McCloud Elementary School.”
The teen was remanded to Juvenile Detention Center in Teterboro and his case has been referred to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
“Our agency will be requesting that the juvenile be waived up as an adult to Superior Court on the robbery charge,” said Torell.
“Our detectives are in the process of working with the victims in all three cases,” said Torell. “We will be recovering any video footage from the areas where these incidents occurred. The investigation is ongoing and we are also looking for help from the public. Anyone with information is urged to call the Englewood Detective Bureau at (201) 568-4875. Callers can furnish us with information anonymously if they choose.
“Our local CrimeStoppers group is also issuing a cash reward of up to $1,000 for any information that significantly assists in these investigations. CrimeStoppers can be contacted 24/7 by calling (844) 466-6789. Tips can also be made electronically via the website at www.bergencrimestoppers.org.”
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