Edwin Juan Rosado, Jr., a 19-year old Linden man, was arrested and charged last week in connection with a home-invasion robbery and beating of a retired priest that purportedly transpired on Monday.
The retired priest, whose identity has not been revealed, reported to law enforcement authorities that a young man forced his way into the priest’s home by taking out a butcher knife and threatening the priest with it. Once inside, the priest was robbed of his cell phone, wallet, and keys. The priest was then beaten before the young man fled the scene. A detailed description of the young man was provided.
Authorities came to suspect Rosado when he was spotted walking in the area of the priest’s vehicle when the alarm sounded. Rosado, who matched the detailed description given by the priest, was stopped and questioned. But initially, there was not enough information to arrest him.
During a subsequent interview, authorities obtained enough information to secure an arrest warrant for Rosado. Detectives later found the vehicle’s alarm button in the area where Rosado was initially stopped.
The follow-up investigation revealed that Rosado had done work for the priest in the past, including shoveling snow.
Rosado was charged with Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon. He is being held at the Union County jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.
The priest was treated for his injuries and is recovering at home.
For more information, see the Star-Ledger article entitled, “Linden teen arrested in robbery, beating of retired priest.”
If convicted of the most serious charge – Robbery, a crime of the first degree – Rosado faces between 10 and 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with a requirement that he serve 85% of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole, as per the No Early Release Act (“NERA”) for violent offenders. A conviction may also carry a host of collateral consequences, such as a requirement to pay the priest restitution for his losses, including the replacement cost of the stolen items, medical bills, and/or bills for damage caused to the priest’s home or vehicle.
