HOBOKEN — Police arrested three suspects in connection with a string of robberies in Hoboken last week, according to Det. Lt. Mark Competello.
The first robbery occurred on Monday, Nov. 9 at 9:50 p.m. when a 29-year-old Hoboken male was walking west on Seventh Street. The man was allegedly approached by two males brandishing a handgun who stole his iPhone and Coach wallet which included identification, numerous credit cards, and $15 cash, police said.
After investigation, police charged Travis Reilly, 18, Edgewater and a male juvenile also from Edgewater with armed robbery, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The police have alleged that the juvenile was also involved in two other crimes that week, but not with Reilly.
The second had occurred on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at 9:10 p.m. at 1122 Grand St.
A 44-year-old delivery man from Pita Grill was approached by a male.
Allegedly holding a black semi-automatic handgun, a young man told the victim to put all his money on the ground or he was going to “kill him,” according to Competello. The delivery man handed over $200 cash and a Samsung cell phone.
The Edgewater juvenile was later charged with another count of armed robbery, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
The third robbery occurred on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 3:42 p.m. at 800 Monroe St.
Police said a 31-year-old Jersey City man was walking west on Eighth Street when he was allegedly approached a juvenile and John Patrick Prins, 25, of Hoboken.
The two allegedly took $145 cash and a cell phone from the victim after the Edgewater juvenile allegedly put a black-handled silver knife to his chest, police said.
Both suspects fled the scene, but the victim pursued the Edgewater teen. Two police officers apprehended the juvenile following the pursuit and arrested him. Police said he was in possession of the aforementioned knife and the cash and cell phone identified by the victim.
Thus, the same Edgewater juvenile was charged with a third count of armed robbery, possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.
Prins was apprehended by officers in a hallway at 455 Ninth St. and charged with robbery.
Police recovered a weapon they say was used in the robberies, a black 25-caliber Daisy model air pellet BB gun, from the juvenile’s bedroom after a parent consented to the search.