By: Richard L. Smith
An extensive two-month investigation concluded in the past week, yielding charges against a Newark resident for a robbery incident.
Linden Police said Mr. Anthony Torres, 22, is accused of first-degree robbery and third-degree burglary related to his involvement in the incident.
According to Linden Police Captain Christopher Guenther, on the afternoon of Wednesday, June 7, at approximately 3:00 p.m., officers responded to an incident in the parking lot of Jersey Lanes, located at 30 North Park Ave.
Captain Guenther said the victim, a driver for Amazon delivery trucks, informed the officers that while he had parked in the lot for a break, an individual reached through the open side door into the driver's compartment and made off with his backpack.
Upon noticing the theft, the driver confronted the perpetrator, gripping his shirt as the suspect sought refuge in a nearby parked vehicle.
According to Captain Guenther, the suspect reportedly resorted to physically assaulting the driver in an attempt to escape and ultimately struck the driver with the vehicle as it fled the scene. The driver sustained minor injuries during the confrontation.
Linden Police Detective Bureau conducted an in-depth investigation and successfully identified Torres as the prime suspect behind the incident.
In a separate episode later that month, Captain Guenther told RLS Media that Torres was also implicated in multiple offenses, including three counts of third-degree burglary, third-degree debit card theft, third-degree receiving stolen property, fourth-degree fraud, and other related charges.
On July 17, 2023, shortly after 4:00 p.m., officers responded to theft reports from vehicles in the 300 block of Hurst St, adjacent to a local business.
Captain Guenther said the subsequent investigation revealed that Torres had driven a stolen vehicle to the location around 11:30 a.m. that day. He entered three unlocked vehicles, stealing credit cards, identification, cash amounting to several hundred dollars, and miscellaneous items before departing the scene in the stolen car.
While Torres was already in custody on unrelated charges, he was formally processed for all the offenses. He currently remains incarcerated at the Essex County Jail.
Captain Guenther said it's essential to note that these criminal charges remain allegations, and every defendant is to be considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.