Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Thomas Bryan of the Edison Police Department said that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the robbery and fatal shooting that took place at the Speedway Gas Station in Edison on December 20, 2018.
According to authorities, Marcus A. Wright, 22, of Beaufort, South Carolina, was arrested today in South Carolina and is charged with first degree murder, first degree armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, both second degree crimes.
Police also apprehended and charged Olya Quinnam, 22, also of Beaufort, South Carolina, with conspiracy to commit armed robbery and hindering apprehension, both second degree crimes.
Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey would like to thank and commend all the law enforcement officers who worked so diligently to apprehend and arrest the two suspects including the Edison Police Department, the Suffolk County New York District Attorney’s Office, the Suffolk County Police Department, the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department, the Beaufort City Police Department, the Beaufort County Probation/Parole, the City of Columbia Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Both Wright and Quinnam are being held in South Carolina awaiting extradition to New Jersey.
Officials say on December 20, 2018, Edison Township Police responded to the Speedway Gas Station, at 789 Amboy Avenue in Edison. Police arrived to find the 38-year-old victim, John Bertram, of the Fords section of Woodbridge Township. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:15 a.m.
A preliminary investigation determined that Wright and Quinnam were involved in the robbery and fatal shooting of Bertram. The investigation revealed that while Quinnam waited outside, Wright entered the store and held up the clerk with a handgun. The victim handed the cash register drawer containing currency to Wright; after which Wright fired his weapon, killing the victim.
The investigation is active and continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Loren Long or Detective Wilfredo Brown of the Edison Police Department at (732) 248-7400, or Detective David Abromaitis of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732)745-3300.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Wright and Quinnam are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty.