By Lea Kahn, Staff Writer
LAWRENCE — Two Trenton men, who forced their way into three apartments at the Avalon Run apartment complex, have been indicted on multiple counts by a Mercer County grand jury, according to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
John Gaines, 23, was indicted on 35 counts, including multiple counts of carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, weapons offenses, criminal restraint, burglary, theft and terroristic threats, acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said.
Righteous Laster, 20, was indicted on 16 counts that included carjacking, kidnapping, robbery, weapons offenses, criminal restraint, burglary, theft and terroristic threats, Mr. Onofri said.
Mr. Gaines was indicted for his role in three home invasions that occurred on Aug. 12, Sept. 9 and Sept. 14, and Mr. Laster was indicted for participating in the Aug. 12 home invasion.
During the first home invasion incident, which occurred on Aug. 12, the two men entered a first-floor apartment through an unlocked sliding glass door. The victim, who was at home, was held at knifepoint while the men searched the apartment.
The men forced the victim into his own car and took him to two ATM machines to withdraw money. The men drove the victim to Trenton, where they released him unharmed.
Mr. Gaines returned alone to the Avalon Run apartment complex twice more, on Sept. 9 and Sept. 14. During the Sept. 9 home invasion, he knocked on the door to an apartment. When the occupant opened the door, he was confronted by Mr. Gaines, who was holding a handgun.
As he did during the Aug. 12 incident, Mr. Gaines forced the victim to get into the car and go to a nearby bank to withdraw money. He made the victim give him the money, and then drove him to Trenton and released him unharmed. Mr. Gaines fled on foot.
And on Sept. 14, Mr. Gaines knocked the door to an apartment and when the victim opened the door, Mr. Gaines was holding a handgun. He forced the victim and three of his roommates into a rear room of the apartment. After about 10 minutes, he left. No one was harmed.
Mr. Laster was arrested on Aug. 24 and Mr. Gaines was arrested on Oct. 14. Both men remain in the Mercer County Corrections Center.
The indictment resulted from an investigation by Detective Sgt. Joseph Lech IV and Detective Todd Caruso of the Lawrence Township Police Department.
The U.S. Marshals New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Trenton Police Department assisted in the investigation.
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