By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in NJ reported that a Passaic County man arrested in connection with seven armed robberies of pharmacies made his initial appearance in Newark federal court.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Onijee Burgess, 26, of Paterson, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery.
According to officials, Burgess made his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Edward S. Kiel in Newark federal court and was detained.
According to the complaint and statements made in court:
From November 2022 through April 5, 2023, Burgess conspired with Antonio Rivera and others to commit seven separate armed robberies of five different pharmacies in Paterson and Passaic to steal prescription medication, officials stated.
Officials said Rivera was previously charged by complaint for two of these robberies.
During those robberies, officials say Rivera fired a gun and pointed it at numerous victims.