By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced that on May 23, Vongvichit Vatthanavong, 50, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty to Robbery before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Brick Township on January 5, 2023. 
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated that at the time of his sentencing on July 18, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 12 1/2 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
According to Ocean County officials, on January 5, 2023, at approximately 12:20 a.m., officers from the Brick Township Police Department responded to a residence on Pershing Avenue for a report of a robbery.
Investigation revealed that as the victim homeowner was exiting his vehicle and entering his residence, he was approached by three masked individuals - one of them armed with what appeared to be a handgun, OCPO officials say.
Brick Township Police said that one of the suspects struck the victim in the head, knocking him to the ground.
The three suspects then stole approximately $3,000 in United States currency, a watch, and a cellular phone from the victim before fleeing the scene, Ocean County authorities said.
OCPO officials stated that continuing investigation over the course of the next year by the Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau resulted in Vatthanavong being identified as one of the individuals responsible for the robbery.
Ocean County officials said he voluntarily appeared at Brick Township Police Headquarters for questioning on February 7, 2024; on that date, Vatthanavong was taken into custody at Brick Township Police Headquarters and charged accordingly.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since that date, OCPO officials said. 
Ocean County authorities said the other two suspects in the robbery have yet to be identified.