According to Ridgewood Police, a man was arrested after he was caught stealing liquor from a bar. Police allegedly received a call that an employee found Wayne man, Brian Arevalo, 23, in the basement of MacMurphy’s located on Godwin Avenue. The call came in at around 2:15am. Police say that Arevalo had a knife in his hand and was taking liquor bottles from the storage room. Arevalo had cash from the cash register in his pockets. He was charged with Robbery, Theft, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. Arevalo was transported to the Bergen County Jail where he will likely remain until a Superior Court Judge decides if he will be detained or not. Click here to read more at www.patch.com.
In the State of New Jersey, Robbery is a crime of the second degree, but it can be considered a first degree crime under certain circumstances. The consequences for a conviction of robbery can be very serious and severe. A crime of the first degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Robbery (in either degree) is an enumerated crime under the No Early Release Act ( NERA ), meaning that 85% of the sentence imposed must be served before becoming eligible for parole.
Similarly, if you are charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, the consequences may be severe. A crime of the second degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years in New Jersey State Prison, a crime of the third degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison. The fourth degree is punishable by a term of imprisonment of up to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison.
If you find yourself in the situation that you are charged with Robbery or Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, you should contact an attorney immediately, especially given the potential prison sentence. Experienced criminal defense lawyer, Alissa D. Hascup has handled countless cases for individuals charged with Robbery, theft, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. She is committed to ensuring that your rights are protected in Court. Contact her office for a free consultation about your case. She is available 24/7 at 862-257-1200.
