Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced charges against two 18-year-old Bergen County men, both of whom were 17 years old at the time of the incident. These charges have been filed as a juvenile delinquency matter stemming from an armed robbery in Garfield, NJ, following a nearly year-long investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck, and the Garfield Police Department, under the direction of Chief Joseph Delaney.
On Tuesday, August 13, 2024, at approximately 10:00 p.m., officers from the Garfield Police Department responded to an armed robbery on Westervelt Place. Upon arrival, officers located the victim who reported that individuals with handguns stole his property before fleeing. Accordingly, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad was notified of the armed robbery and responded to the scene. A joint investigation with the Garfield Police Department was initiated. As a result of the lengthy investigation, detectives identified two 18-year-olds, who were juveniles at the time, as the suspects responsible for the armed robbery.
On Monday, June 2, 2025, the first of the two suspects was taken into protective custody by the Garfield Police Department. On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the second suspect turned himself in to the Garfield Police Department.
The first suspect was charged with juvenile delinquency, specifically: first-degree armed robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1); second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5b(1); second-degree possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4a(1); second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/ N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1); and fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1b(4). Following an appearance in Bergen County Superior Court, Family Law Division, the suspect was ordered released to home confinement in the custody of a parent or guardian pending further action by the Court.
The second suspect was charged with juvenile delinquency, specifically: first-degree armed robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1); and second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2a(1)/ N.J.S.A. 2C:15-1a(1). The suspect was transferred to the custody of the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center, pending a closed hearing in Bergen County Superior Court, Family Law Division.
Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely accusations, and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. He would like to thank the Garfield Police Department, the North Arlington Police Department, and the Haledon Police Department for their assistance in this investigation.