FLORENCE: Police charge two in robbery attempt

By Packet Media Group
FLORENCE — A 24 year-old Vineland man and a 16-year-old Mansfield boy have been arrested and charged in connection with the Aug. 17 armed robbery of the Town Liquor Store.
Police Capt. Brian Boldizar announced the arrests in a press release on Tuesday.
Josh Pender, 24, of Vineland was charged with robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, one count of terroristic threat, possession of a firearm by certain persons and three counts of conspiracy.
The 16 year old was charged with robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and one count of terroristic threat.
Police are still seeking a third suspect, Rachel Lavalle, 24, of Millville.
According to police, Mr. Pender and the teenager entered the Town Liquor Store intending to rob the store. In the course of the robbery attempt, Mr. Pender fired one round into the store’s wall, police said.
Nothing was taken in the robbery attempt and the two fled the store and were driven away in a red Honda Odyssey allegedly driven by Ms. Lavalle, police said.
The teenager was taken into custody on Aug. 28 while walking on Hornberger Avenue by the Florence Township Police Department and is being held in Burlington County Juvenile Detention Center.
Mr. Pender was taken into custody on Sept. 6 by the Vineland Police Department after receiving information from the Florence Detective Bureau regarding the warrants for Mr. Pender’s arrest. Mr. Pender is currently being held in Burlington County Jail on $200,000 bail.
Police ask anyone with information about the defendants or the vehicle involved to contact the Florence Township Investigative Division at (609) 499-3131.