Paterson NJ police are looking for a man believed to have robbed three (3) Paterson businesses in a two-hour span.
According to a police report, the suspect first robbed a mini-market at 34 Essex Street. Two (2) minutes later, a grocery store around the corner at 21 Oak Street was robbed. The police report indicates that a female employee was threatened in both instances.
According to police, a Chinese restaurant on the 300-block of 21st Avenue was robbed two (2) hours later.
Paterson police believe that the same man is responsible for all three (3) robberies.
The robber had a goatee and wore a black t-shirt, a red bandana, and blue jeans. The police report indicates he carried a sawed-off shotgun during the robberies.
In New Jersey, armed robbery is addressed by N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1. The statute stipulates that robbery can be brought as either a first degree felony or a second degree felony. If the actor used a deadly weapon during the robbery, it may be classified as a first degree offense. In this case, because the suspect is believed to have used a shotgun during the robberies, he could be charged with first degree armed robbery. If caught and convicted, he may face up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
For more information, see the NJ.com article entitled “Man Robbed 3 Paterson Businesses in Same Night, Police Say.”
