After a six-hour standoff, officers from the Paterson Police Department recently apprehended a suspect who is now facing charges for robbery as well as weapons offenses.
On Friday, January 3rd, Paterson police proceeded to an apartment building located on 12th Avenue in Paterson to arrest 36-year-old Lashan Mathis in connection with robbery charges.
According to Captain Heriberto Rodriguez, when officers arrived on the scene, Mathis held a razor blade to his neck, claiming that he would hurt himself if they came any closer to him. Mathis did not surrender for nearly six hours, during which time the remainder of the building was evacuated, as were the homes located next door.
Per reports, Mathis was finally arrested at approximately 3 a.m. He is now facing charges for the robbery of a Main Street jewelry store, which occurred on December 26th. Authorities announced that two others, believed to be working with Mathis, were also arrested in connection with this crime.
Robbery is codified under N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1 and can be considered a crime of the first or second degree. First degree offenses are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison. Crimes of the second degree are punishable by a term of incarceration ranging from 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition, all robbery charges are governed under the No Early Release Act (“NERA”), which requires those convicted of these crimes to serve 85% of the sentence imposed before becoming eligible for parole.
Authorities have not revealed the grading of the robbery charges for which Mathis and his alleged accomplices will be tried; however, the defendants can expect significant terms of imprisonment if convicted of robbery in either degree.
For more information pertaining to this case, access the following article: Blade-wielding Paterson robbery suspect surrenders after 6-hour standoff with police
