Bridgeton man who was involved in an escape from Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center in November 2017, pleaded guilty on Thursday to multiple charges, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner
announced.
Officials say Michael Huggins, 20, pleaded guilty to second degree Escape, and two counts of second degree Burglary. As part of the terms of the plea agreement Huggins will serve 6 years, must serve 85% on one burglary, consecutive to 6 years must serve 85% on the second burglary, both subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA), consecutive to 6 years for the second degree Escape, for a total sentence of 18 years New Jersey state prison.
According to authorities, on November 15, 2017, four teenagers assaulted a staff member of the Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center and escaped by stealing another staff member’s vehicle. The teens later crashed the stolen vehicle and ditched it ahead of a pursuing police cruiser.
While fleeing custody on foot, the teens burglarized two homes in Egg Harbor City. One burglary was of an unoccupied home, during which Huggins and his codefendants stole a rifle and clothes.
Armed with the loaded gun and additional ammunition stolen from the first home, Huggins and his codefendants burglarized a second home that was occupied at the time by a woman and her two children.
Several hours later, three of the youths were captured in Bridgeton, in Cumberland County.
The fourth, Michael Huggins, was apprehended the following day near Carolina Village Apartments in Atlantic City.
Assistant Prosecutor Marisa G. McGarvey represents the State in the matter. Huggins’ sentencing is scheduled for May 31st.
The investigation was led by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office, Intelligence Unit, with the assistance of the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office. Agencies who assisted in the search for and apprehension of the four individuals were the New Jersey State Police, the Atlantic City Police Department, the Bridgeton Police Department, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.
People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.