BORDENTOWN CITY: Couple charged in armed robbery

By Geoffrey Wertime, Staff Writer
   BORDENTOWN CITY — A man and woman from Florida, both wanted for eluding police there, were arrested Saturday after the man robbed a city resident at gunpoint, police said.
   Terrance Hightower, 30, of Delanco, Fla., was charged early Saturday morning with armed robbery, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and multiple weapons charges. Staci Ellis, 25, of Daytona, Fla., was charged at the same time with conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
   Police said they expected to file additional charges against both parties once the investigation is complete.
   ”It was a great job,” said Bordentown City Police Chief Matthew Simmons. “I give a lot of credit to the victim for keeping his composure, giving up the money at demand and having an eyeball on this guy and where he fled to. I also give a lot of credit to the township for their assistance and sharp eyes for seeing him in the vehicle.”
   City police received a 911 call at about 1 a.m. from a 28-year-old city man who said he was robbed at gunpoint after using the Beneficial Bank ATM, on Farnsworth Avenue, according to police.
   The victim told police another man approached him at the teller machine after he withdrew $100, the aggressor holding a handgun to his chest and demanding the victim give him the money. The robber then walked away, south along the avenue before ducking behind the Ashes to Ashes cigar shop, police said.
   Police got a description of the man and, with the aid of Bordentown Township police, conducted a search of the city’s streets. Police said they believe Mr. Hightower’s vehicle was parked on Prince Street, and he cut through the shop’s parking lot to get there.
   Within 10 minutes of receiving the 911 call, township police encountered a man matching that description stopped at the light at Route 130 and Farnsworth Avenue in a white Buick with Florida registration and a female passenger.
   Mr. Hightower was stopped at the Roma Bank on Route 130, and police reported seeing a handgun in plain view between the front driver and passenger seats. In the process of his arrest, Mr. Hightower broke free and ran, but was apprehended about 200 yards away, police said.
   The passenger, Ms. Ellis, was taken into custody without incident, according to a police report.
   Police recovered a Smith and Wesson 357 handgun, which was fully loaded with one spent shell casing, as well as $60. Police said a chewed-up ATM slip indicates Mr. Hightower may have eaten the remaining $40, or it may have been lost during the chase.
   Finally, police reported discovering two personal female IDs in the car, one of them the ID of the victim of an armed robbery in North Carolina.
   An investigation also revealed both Mr. Hightower and Ms. Ellis are wanted in Florida for eluding police, according to the police report. Police said they still are attempting to locate other crime victims.
   In addition to the above violations, Mr. Hightower also was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and possession of a weapon having been convicted.
   He was sent to Burlington County Jail in lieu of $75,000, Ms. Ellis also was sent there in lieu of $25,000, both with no option to post 10 percent for release.
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