PLUMSTED — A man who police suspect was involved in the armed robbery of an 18-year-old Plumsted resident was apprehended in Pemberton Township following a manhunt that lasted just over two months.
James Warthen, 22, was taken into custody by officers from the U.S. Marshals Service on Jan. 28, according to Pemberton Township police Lt. Brian Wechkus.
Following his arrest, Warthen was placed in the Burlington County Detention Center, Mount Holly, according to Plumsted Police Department Detective Jason Reilly.
Bail for Warthen was set at $100,000 with no 10 percent option. In addition, the Burlington County Department of Corrections held Warthen on two separate bail charges — $2,500 with no 10 percent option and $250 cash.
Requests for comment from the U.S. Marshals Service were unsuccessful.
According to police, Warthen and a minor approached an 18-year-old Plumsted resident as the young man left a supermarket on Main Street, New Egypt, between 9- 9:30 p.m. Nov. 24.
Police said the young man later told officers that one of the two males who approached him allegedly pulled out a handgun, pressed it to his temple and forced him to the ground before taking money and an iPhone.
Following an investigation, police issued arrest warrants for Warthen and the minor.
By Dec. 1, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Al Della Fave announced that Warthen’s alleged accomplice, who has been identified only as a minor from Pemberton Township, had been apprehended at a convenience store on Jacobstown Road.