Full Notification

MEDIA RELEASE – May 5, 2013
ARMED ROBBERY ROMAN JEWELERS, FIVE HOLD-UP EMPLOYEES AND CUSTOMERS AT GUNPOINT

Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and Flemington Police Chief George Becker report an armed robbery occurred at Roman Jewelers, located on route 12 adjacent to Liberty Village in Flemington, NJ. At approximately 12:21 pm, five individuals armed with handguns took over the jewelry store which was occupied by customers and store personnel. The suspects bound some employees and order customers to the floor. They further ordered other store employees to provide them access to jewelry within the store. The men, all described as black males, attempted to obscure their identities by wearing articles of clothing, hoodies and construction helmets. One male was observed wearing a Philadelphia Eagles construction helmet another wore an orange construction helmet. All appeared to be brandishing handguns while threatening the victims, no shots were fired. Several witnesses called 911. Witnesses describe the men as charging into the front doors of the jewelry shop. Responding Flemington police observed from some distance, two of the suspects fleeing into the Liberty Village parking lot. Witnesses told the responding officer, that persons believed to be the suspects entered into two midsize sedans. One of the cars is believed to be a white Chrysler 300M, the other black Audi A5 or BMW, both were believed have Pennsylvania plates. The suspect vehicles were last seen leaving Liberty Village/commuter lot onto Route 12. An APB (all points bulletin) was issued as patrols from Raritan Township, Frenchtown, Readington, New Jersey State Police, and other surrounding agencies responded to search for the suspects
and vehicles. Somerset County Sheriff Provenzano provided a K9 unit to search the area. The APB was issued to the entire region including Pennsylvania. The suspects and vehicles remain at large. Detectives from the Hunterdon County Major Crimes along with Flemington Borough detectives have spent the better part of the day processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. Photographs from surveillance systems captured footage of the suspects during the robbery and are being released to the public and media. One of the images provides a clear image of one of the suspects. (see end of press release for photos)
Anyone who may have witnessed anything at Liberty Village or may have come in contact with the individuals and vehicles described in this release are asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office or Flemington Police Department at (908) 788-1129 or (908) 782-3435.
Quote by Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III: “This was a disturbing and traumatic crime for those victimized by these assailants. The store employees and customers did everything right, remaining calm and calling 911 as soon as it was safe to do so. They should be commended for their actions.”
Hunterdon County Crime Stoppers is offering up $1000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of any of the persons responsible for this robbery.
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can submit tips by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging “HCTIPS” plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app “Tipsubmit” and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.
The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendants are presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.
For current events on the go, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/HunterdonCoPros
For press releases visit our website at: http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/pro