Resident charged as accomplice in robbery attempt.
By: Hank Kalet
A home invasion ended with the arrest of two men including one from South Brunswick on Saturday.
Police charged Rafael Ramos of Major Road with robbery and burglary and Joseph Ellis, 22, of New Brunswick with robbery, burglary, kidnapping, criminal sexual contact, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Police said Mr. Ellis kicked in the door of Mr. Ramos’ Major Road residence at about 10 a.m. and forced the five occupants three men and two women ranging in age from 19 to 50 of the house into a bedroom. Police say he kicked, punched and pistol-whipped the victims.
One of the victims had run to a neighbor’s house to call police, who responded and found that Mr. Ellis had run off.
After an investigation, police determined that Mr. Ramos had participated in the robbery. Police said he had falsely told the other residents that he had called police when the invasion first occurred, but had not. Police said Mr. Ramos then called for a taxicab to pick up the gunman from the home to allow him to escape.
Police learned of Mr. Ellis’ identity during the investigation and he turned himself in to police at 8 p.m., police said.
The two men were charged and are being held without bail at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center.
Two of the victims were transported to local area hospitals for treatment, police said.