MANALAPAN — Two residents of New York have been arrested and charged in connection with their alleged involvement in a robbery that occurred in Manalapan during the summer.
Police said an investigation by officers in the Manalapan Police Department Detective Bureau led to the signing of criminal complaints against two suspects.
On Aug. 26, officers responded to a location on Route 9 for a reported robbery involving a handgun. The suspects fled from the area prior to the arrival of the officers. The victim of the robbery was identified as a 37-year-old male resident of Freehold.
Police identified the suspects as Christopher Canero, 24, of Mahopac, N.Y., and Pajtim Hoti, 25, of the Bronx, N.Y.
Canero was arrested on Nov. 23 at Manalapan police headquarters and placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, in lieu of $75,000 bail.
Hoti is currently incarcerated out of state in reference to an unrelated incident. Police said he will be served with criminal complaints in connection with the Manalapan robbery.
Detective Jared Aronson was the lead investigator assigned to this case.
In another incident, a Manalapan police officer had to subdue an individual who attempted to take his service weapon.
Police said that at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, Patrolman Christopher Makwinski was approached by a motorist who reported that a man was standing in the road near Route 522 and Main Street in the Tennent section of the community holding a large duffle bag.
Makwinski located the man, who was identified as Andres Salvador Mateo, 36, of Freehold Borough.
At that time, Patrolman Christopher Oleksy arrived to assist Makwinski.
Police said that while Makwinski was interviewing Mateo, the man lunged at the officer and grabbed his service weapon in an attempt to disarm the patrolman.
Police said Makwinski was able to prevent Mateo from removing his service weapon. Oleksy and Makwinski engaged Mateo and took him to the ground. Mateo allegedly continued to resist the officers, but was eventually handcuffed and arrested.
Mateo was charged with attempting to disarm a law enforcement officer, assault on a police officer, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. He was placed in the Monmouth County jail where he is being held in default of $100,000 bail.