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North Plainfield Police Department

Press Release

Chief William Parenti

Press Release of February 12, 2014

North Plainfield Police Chief William Parenti announced the arrest of two juvenile males in connection with a robbery that occurred in the borough in the early evening of Tuesday, February 11.  At 7:34 pm, police responded to a report of a man calling for help in the 10 block of Duer Street.  Upon arrival police found a thirty-eight year old male, borough resident that reported he was just robbed of his cell phone by three black males in their teens.  He reported he was approached from behind, thrown to the ground and then kicked and punched before he was relieved of his cell phone. The actors ran off and the victim escaped serious injury.    

The victim was transported to Police HQs for further investigation and medical aid.  After giving police a statement of what happened, he was being transported home by Police Officer Dejesus when the victim spotted the three suspects on Lincoln Place. As Officer DeJesus called out for them to stop, all three suspects ran off.  Officer DeJesus broadcast this and gave chase to one suspect.  Officer DeJesus was able to detain one suspect, a 15 year old resident of Plainfield, and received assistance from two good Samaritans handcuffing him. At the same time Police Officers vonSpreckelsen, Branco, and Pellisier took another 15 year old resident of Plainfield into custody after a brief foot chase. A third subject evaded capture and got away. 

The defendants were both lodged in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Facility and charged with second degree robbery and resisting arrest. Chief Parenti thanked the public for their assistance and said the investigation is active and ongoing at this time. He urged anyone with information regarding it or the identity of the third suspect to contact North Plainfield Detective Alan McKay at (908)769-2937.   

Note:  We are required by the Rules of Court to include herein a statement explaining that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.