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Devin Copley-Clevenger, of Lumberton, is accused of stealing the victim's car at gunpoint in the parking lot of Route 37 east, after the victim agreed to give someone a ride to AutoZone when their car broke down Friday around 4:10 p.m., local police said.
Once at Auto Zone, the victim’s acquaintance exited the car and walked toward the store. The passenger door opened moments later and another male entered the vehicle, brandishing a handgun demanding the victim’s belongings.
The victim fled the vehicle and ran to a neighboring lot where he notified police. The suspect left the parking lot in the victim’s vehicle, and continued westbound on Route 37 toward Manchester, police said.
Manchester Township police were immediately notified and quickly located the vehicle traveling west on Route 37 near Lakehurst, according to police.
Manchester officers stopped the vehicle in the parking lot of 401 Route 70, Lakehurst.
The driver, Devin Copley-Clevenger, 20 of Lumberton, was taken into custody without incident, police said.
A search of the vehicle was then conducted which yielded a loaded 9mm handgun with a high capacity magazine, police said.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Department Crime Scene Unit responded to process the vehicle.
Copley-Clevenger was charged with first-degree robbery, first-degree car jacking, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a high capacity magazine, police said.
The incident remains under investigation by Detective Seaman. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact tseaman@trpolice.org.
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