Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced that an Essex County jury today convicted Farad Andrews, 24, of Newark of first degree attempted robbery and weapons offenses following a two week trial before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior Court.
Assistant Prosecutor Jason Alterbaum, who tried the case, said on May 6, 2014 the victim, a female sheriff’s officer, and her boyfriend were in Westside Park in Newark when two men approached the woman and proceeded to attempt to rob her at gunpoint.
During the course of the robbery, the second man, who was with Andrews, recognized the female sheriff’s officer and told Andrews to stop. The two fled the scene. Andrews was apprehended a short time later on Avon and Jeliff Street in Newark. The other man was never caught.
Today, an Essex County jury convicted Andrews of first degree attempted robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Andrew, who has two prior felony convictions for eluding and receiving stolen property, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13. He faces up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced.
“The investigation of this crime was a joint effort by the Newark Police Department and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office. The cooperation of the two law enforcement agencies made it possible for the state to successfully prosecute this defendant, ’’ said Alterbaum