SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Township police charged a local man in the armed robbery of a Route 130 gas station after a detective in a neighboring town reportedly recognized the suspect’s sneakers.
Akean Benjamin, 24, of North Brunswick, has been charged in the April 24 daytime robbery of the Gulf gas station at the corner of Route 130 and Distribution Way, according to South Brunswick Police Chief Raymond Hayducka.
South Brunswick Detective Monica Shearer sent still pictures from the gas station surveillance video to area police departments. East Brunswick Police Detective Joe Bauer identified Benjamin as the suspect in the pictures after recognizing the sneakers he was wearing, Hayducka said.
South Brunswick detectives executed search warrants on Benjamin’s home and vehicle. Police allegedly recovered a starter’s pistol and clothing that matched the suspect’s clothing in the video.
Benjamin was charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and terroristic threats.
He was lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center in default of $310,000 bail.
“This arrest was the result of great police work. It is highly unusual to have this type of brazen crime in our community. The collaborative effort between all the law enforcement involved resulted in stopping any more criminal activity by this suspect,” Hayducka said.
Hayducka thanked the East Brunswick and North Brunswick police departments, and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Of