by Davy James, Staff Writer
South Brunswick police announced the arrests of two men allegedly connected with a string of armed robberies throughout central New Jersey.
Benjamin Newton, 20, of South Brunswick, and Christopher Brown, 21, of Jackson, were arrested July 10 after a two-month investigation and each charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of conspiracy to commit armed robbery.
The charges stem from robberies on May 2 at the Citgo Gas Station on Route 130 and the Stop Buy Food Store on Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction, according to police. In both robberies, a handgun was displayed by the suspects, police said.
Police said the investigation links the pair to armed robberies in Middlesex, Ocean and Monmouth counties, in which they targeted banks, convenience stores and gas stations. Evidence was found during the execution of a search warrant at Mr. Newton’s residence at 96 Jill Court, according to police. Mr. Brown was arrested at his home in Jackson and supplied a full confession, police said.
”I wish to personally commend lead Detective Ronald Seaman for his diligence and professionalism, along with the other officers assigned to the Police Department’s investigative bureau, without whose exemplary efforts this case would have been much more difficult to solve, and for their efforts to keep South Brunswick a safe place to live,” said Chief Raymond Hayducka in a press release.
Detective Seaman credited Detective Michael Ratta of the Manalapan Police Department and Jackson Police Department Detective Michael Kelly for their assistance throughout the investigation.
The combined bail for the two suspects was set at over $1 million.
