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Hackensack police, who initially got the call, alerted their New Milford counterparts to the 3:45 a.m. armed robbery at the River Road convenience store.
Minutes later, the night manager told New Milford Police Sgt. John Moroney and Officers Brian Carlino and Morris that he ran out of the store after the male robber, wearing a ski mask, pulled out a handgun.
Outside, Papapietro said, a getaway car awaited.
Vincent Ortenzio, Amanda Gaeta (MUGSHOTS: New Milford PD)
The officers quickly identified Vincent Ortenzio, a 21-year-old ex-convict of South Park Drive in New Milford as their primary suspect, the chief said.
New Milford, Bergenfield, Oradell, Haworth and Dumont, along with the Bergen County Police Department K9 unit immediately began looking for the 6-foot, 137-pound Ortenzio.
They knocked on his door and discovered that he’d move in with a relative three doors down, Papapietro said.
As they approached the second house, a car pulled into the driveway. It matched the one seen across from the 7Eleven.
They knocked on the door, and the vehicle’s owner, 21-year-old Amanda Gaeta of Spring Valley Road in Paramus, answered the door, Papapietro said.
Ortenzio there, as well.
Both were taken into custody.
A search of the house, permitted by the homeowner, turned up a pellet gun that resembles a larger-caliber weapon, the cash, the lighters and the ski mask, Papapietro said.
This is the second time in three years that Ortenzio is charged with using a firearm in a holdup.
He is being held on $200,000 bail, charged with robbery, weapons possession theft and receiving stolen property, as well as possession of drug paraphenalia.
Gaeta is being held on $75,000 bail, charged with conspiracy.
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