Tag:

Armed Robbery

Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors Ex-Con Sentenced For Home Invasion, Sexually Assaulting Woman In Asbury Park: Prosecutors
Shawn Connolly Of Asbury Park Sentenced An Asbury Park ex-convict will spend more than three decades in prison after he was convicted of a home invasion and sexual assault, authorities said. Shawn Connolly, 37, was sentenced on Tuesday, Apr. 23 to 40 years in prison, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced in a news release. He'll be eligible for parole after 34 years under the No Early Release Act. Asbury Park police responded to a home on Seventh Avenue just before 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021. Officers immediately found Connolly, arrested him, and recovered what he stole from his pockets. Investigat…
Somerset Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car Somerset Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car
Somerset Armed Robber Gets 50 Years For Stealing $100K In Jewelry While Returning Luxury Car A 37-year-old Somerset man was sentenced to 50 years in state prison on Friday, April 12, after being convicted of planning an armed robbery in Dec. 2021 that resulted in the victim being robbed of $100,000 worth of jewelry and cell phones at gunpoint, authorities said. On Dec. 4, 2021, Melvin Banks was scheduled to return a Mercedes S580 to the owner of a luxury car rental service in Riverdale at 9 p.m. Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, First Assistant Prosecutor Maggie Calderwood, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Riverdale Police Chief Charles Quant Jr. said. At 9:31 p.m.…
Robber Gets Life For Killing Clerk At Central Jersey Speedway Gas Station: Prosecutor Robber Gets Life For Killing Clerk At Central Jersey Speedway Gas Station: Prosecutor
Robber Gets Life For Killing Clerk At Central Jersey Speedway Gas Station: Prosecutor A South Carolina man who killed a clerk at a gas station in Edison during an armed robbery in 2018 has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder, authorities said. Marcus A. Wright, 27, of Beaufort, SC, fatally shot the Speedway worker on Dec. 20, 2018, on Amboy Avenue, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. Wright was convicted of murder in the slaying of John Bertram, 38, of the Fords section of Woodbridge, on Sept. 12, 2023. He also was found guilty of armed robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses. Wright was sentenced on Monday, March 4…
Online Sneaker Sale Turns Violent On Route 9, Millstone Teen Charged: Prosecutor Online Sneaker Sale Turns Violent On Route 9, Millstone Teen Charged: Prosecutor
Online Sneaker Sale Turns Violent On Route 9, Millstone Teen Charged: Prosecutor A Monmouth County teen was accused of firing a shot and stealing expensive sneakers from a man he met online, authorities said. Giancarlo Nevarez, 19, from the Clarksburg section of Millstone, was charged with first-degree armed robbery, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced the charges on Thursday, Feb. 15. Howell Township police responded to a report of a shot fired on Route 9 South at around 3:06 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13. It happened&nb…
Gas Attendant Robbed At Gunpoint At Garden State Parkway Service Area: State Police Gas Attendant Robbed At Gunpoint At Garden State Parkway Service Area: State Police
Gas Attendant Robbed At Gunpoint At Garden State Parkway Service Area: State Police A gas station attendant was robbed of his phone and $500 at gunpoint along the Garden State Parkway, authorities said. Troopers responded to an armed robbery at about 6:50 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 on the Garden State Parkway south, Colonia Service Area – Shell Gas Station in Woodbridge Township, according to Detective I Jeffrey Lebron, a New Jersey State Police spokesman. While parked alongside the Shell pump, a black male and black female exited the vehicle and entered the Dunkin Donuts, while the driver and other passenger, both black males, remained in the vehicle, Lebron said. Upon…
Third Person Charged In 2016 Neptune Township Murder Of 20-Year-Old Man Third Person Charged In 2016 Neptune Township Murder Of 20-Year-Old Man
Third Person Charged In 2016 Neptune Township Murder Of 20-Year-Old Man A third person has been arrested in the shooting death of a Bradley Beach man nearly eight years ago, authorities said. Stephon Keys, 31, of Neptune Township, was already in state prison in a separate case when he was served his charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago announced on Friday, Jan. 12.  Quashon McDuffie, 30, of Long Branch, and Knaliek Joshua, 31, of Asbury Park, were charged in the killing on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. Neptune Township police responded to a shooting on Seventh Avenue on Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, just before 8:30 p.m. Officers found 20-year-ol…
Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole
Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole Three Elizabeth men who committed nine armed robberies in less than four months in New Jersey and New York were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The most severe went to ex-con Vincent Chan-Guillen, 33, who was sentenced to nearly 34 years in federal prison – longer than he’s been alive -- following his conviction of a host of charges. Meanwhile, Jamie Fontanez, 45, got a plea-bargained 14½ years, while 33-year-old Paul Jimenez managed to get 10. All must serve out their terms because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Store video shows Chan-Guillen pointing a gun at an empl…
ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups
Armed Robbery Rampage: 3rd NJ Man Named In Violent Holdups A third man who authorities said was involved in a terrifying string of armed robberies in Passaic County has been identified. Kareem Powell, 30, of Willingboro, was arrested by federal agents on Tuesday, Nov. 21, in connection with the August 2022 holdups, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced on Wednesday. He joins Carlos Diaz and Edward Porter, both 30 of Paterson, who’ve been in federal custody since last December. A new indictment names Powell while boosting the charges against the other two. The masked trio menaced customers with semiautomatic handguns -- ordering them to lie …
South Carolina Man Guilty Of Killing Central Jersey Speedway Worker During Robbery: Prosecutor South Carolina Man Guilty Of Killing Central Jersey Speedway Worker During Robbery: Prosecutor
South Carolina Man Guilty Of Killing Central Jersey Speedway Worker During Robbery: Prosecutor A South Carolina man was found guilty of fatally shooting a Speedway Gas Station employee during an armed robbery in Edison, authorities said. Marcus A. Wright, 27, was convicted on Tuesday, Sept. 12 by a jury of the murder of John Bertram, according to  Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. The murder occurred on Dec. 20, 2018. Bertram was shot to death while working as an employee of the Speedway Gas Station on Amboy Avenue, in Edison.  On Jan. 3, 2019, Wright was located in Beaufort, South Carolina and placed under arrest. Wright was charged with f…
Home Invasion: Four Seized In Quick-Strike Raids In NJ, NY Home Invasion: Four Seized In Quick-Strike Raids In NJ, NY
Home Invasion: Four Seized In Quick-Strike Raids In NJ, NY GOTCHA! (UPDATE): An armed home invasion robbery in Maywood last November was cracked with the arrests of four men -- two of whom are from the Bronx and another from Westchester, authorities announced on Thursday. Three of the accused robbers forced their way into a Terrace Avenue home and demanded cash and valuables from the owner on Nov. 11, 2022, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. “One of the men pointed a semi-automatic firearm at one of the residents,” the prosecutor said. The masked trio fled with $32,000 in cash, a Cartier watch, a pair of Dolce & Gabbana shoes and…
Parkway Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart: State Police Parkway Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart: State Police
Parkway Gas Stations Robbed Minutes Apart: State Police Two gas stations along the Garden State Parkway were robbed within minutes of each other on Friday, Aug. 18, authorities said. Troopers responded to an armed robbery on at 12:44 a.m. at the parkway's Shell and Exxon stations in the northbound and southbound Colonia Service Areas in Woodbridge Township, according to Detective Jeffrey Lebron, a spokesman with the New Jersey State Police. Based on a preliminary investigation, the gas stations were robbed at gunpoint separately within minutes by four unknown suspects in a black Mercedes Benz, Lebron said.  The unknown suspects demand…
HIGHWAY ROBBERIES: Masked Trio Terrorizes NJ Gas Station Attendants In Three Counties HIGHWAY ROBBERIES: Masked Trio Terrorizes NJ Gas Station Attendants In Three Counties
Highway Robberies: Masked Trio Terrorizes NJ Gas Station Attendants In Three Counties A trio of armed robbers terrorized gas station attendants in several North Jersey towns overnight Tuesday, taking cash and valuables at gunpoint, authorities confirmed. Information was still coming in as this story was being written. At this point, however, the same three masked bandits are believed responsible for armed robberies in Montclair, at an Exxon station on Route 46 in Elmwood Park and at an Exxon/Tiger Mart on 21st Avenue in Paterson before dawn June 13. They were also tied to a failed holdup at a Wawa in Garfield. Authorities believe the three black suspects dressed all in blac…
Home Invaders Pose As Amazon Workers, Rob And Pistol-Whip Bergen Homeowner Home Invaders Pose As Amazon Workers, Rob And Pistol-Whip Bergen Homeowner
Home Invaders Pose As Amazon Workers, Rob And Pistol-Whip Bergen Homeowner Three unemployed ex-cons posing as Amazon delivery workers pistol-whipped a Bergen County homeowner before fleeing with cash, sneakers and jewelry, authorities said. Newark native Jazmir Carter, 25, currently of Stroudsburg, PA, and Brick City residents Ameer Holcomb, 42, and Michael Carter, 26, forced their way into the North Arlington home after the victim opened the door around 9:30 a.m. Feb. 21, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. North Arlington police notified his office, the prosecutor said, and a joint investigation led to raids by his detectives and members of the FBI Safe …
GOTCHA! Boy, 15, Has Bicycle Taken At Knifepoint Outside NJ Walmart, PD Stings Suspect GOTCHA! Boy, 15, Has Bicycle Taken At Knifepoint Outside NJ Walmart, PD Stings Suspect
Gotcha! Boy, 15, Has Bicycle Taken At Knifepoint Outside NJ Walmart, PD Stings Suspect Garfield police pulled a clever sting to capture a Dominican national who they said pulled a knife on a 15-year-old boy and robbed him of a bicycle that the youngster had arranged to sell him through Facebook. Cristopher Rosario, 18, of Bloomfield, met the boy in the parking lot of the Walmart on Passaic Street, then threatened him with a silver knife before fleeing on the bicycle towards Passaic shortly after 8:30 p.m. last Thursday, June 1, Capt. Mario Pozo said. The youngster had gone there after Rosario agreed on Facebook Marketplace to buy the bike for $850, the captain said. Garfield…
DONE AND DONE: Hudson Pair Get 30 Years Each In Bergen Robbery Murder DONE AND DONE: Hudson Pair Get 30 Years Each In Bergen Robbery Murder
Done AND Done: Hudson Pair Get 30 Years Each In Bergen Robbery Murder UPDATE: Two Hudson County men who killed a Fairview pot dealer during an armed robbery at his home were sentenced to a plea-bargained 30 years each in state prison. Carlos Burgos of Jersey City and Raul Torres of North Bergen, both 23, must each serve 25½ years behind bars before they'll be eligible for parole under the terms of their respective plea agreements. The plot's mastermind, Lexie Burke, 24, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter last year in the June 2019 shooting death of David Duque-Soto. He's scheduled for sentencing on June 23, Bergen County Prosecutor Ma…
Teen Girl Faces Attempted Murder, Robbery After Firing At Group At Central Jersey Mall Teen Girl Faces Attempted Murder, Robbery After Firing At Group At Central Jersey Mall
Teen Girl Faces Attempted Murder, Robbery After Firing At Group At Central Jersey Mall A 15-year-old girl is facing charges of attempted murder and armed robbery after stealing the sneakers of three people at gunpoint and firing at a group of people at a Central Jersey mall earlier this month. Officers responded to the area near the SureStay Hotel by Best Western on reports of people running from the Brunswick Square Mall after hearing gunshots on May 13,  East Brunswick Police Chief Frank LoSacco said. After finding a spent shell casing in the parking lot of a Habit Burger along Route 18, police later received a separate report of three people robbed of their sneak…
Arrest Made In Miami Killing Of Man Week Before NJ Wedding Arrest Made In Miami Killing Of Man Week Before NJ Wedding
Arrest Made In Miami Killing Of Man Week Before NJ Wedding An arrest has been made in last February's Miami killing of a 39-year-old man just a week before he was set to get married in Lakewood, NBC Miami reports. Hershy Schwartz was found shot dead in North Miami Beach on Feb. 19 in a strong-arm robbery, police said. A suspect in the killing, Louis Antuwn Redmon, 23, was arrested Wednesday, May 17 by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, NBC said. Redmon was being held in connection with Schwartz's death on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery, armed carjacking, and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, records show. Update: Po…
Rapper Lil Tjay Busted On Gun Charges From Night He Was Shot At Edgewater Restaurant Rapper Lil Tjay Busted On Gun Charges From Night He Was Shot At Edgewater Restaurant
Rapper Lil Tjay Busted On Gun Charges From Night He Was Shot At Edgewater Restaurant Rapper Lil Tjay, who was shot and critically wounded outside an Edgewater restaurant last summer, was arrested on gun charges stemming from that incident after returning this week from a world tour. The 22-year-old Bronx rapper, born Tione Jayden Merritt, had three handguns hidden in his car when he and a companion were shot during what authorities said was a botched robbery on June 22, 2023. The weapons were stashed in a secret compartment that detectives uncovered during a court-approved search of the vehicle, according to an affidavit filed in Superior Court in Hackensack. An arrest wa…
Getaway Driver, 21, In North Jersey Drug Murder Gets 30 Years Without Parole Getaway Driver, 21, In North Jersey Drug Murder Gets 30 Years Without Parole
Getaway Driver, 21, In North Jersey Drug Murder Gets 30 Years Without Parole The getaway driver in the cold-blooded killing of a Fairview man during a drug-related apartment robbery was sentenced to 30 years without parole in state prison. David Martinez, 21, of North Bergen watched as three men who were in the apartment when David Duque Soto was shot in June 2019 took guilty pleas rather than risk the consequences of a trial. Martinez let a jury decide his fate and was convicted on March 13 in Hackensack of felony murder, armed robbery, conspiracy and weapons possession. Assistant Bergen County Prosecutors Suzanne Cevasco and Matthew Fitzpatrick presented 16 witn…
57 Walmarts, Sam's Clubs Hit By Dad-Son Robbers Across NJ, PA: Authorities 57 Walmarts, Sam's Clubs Hit By Dad-Son Robbers Across NJ, PA: Authorities
57 Walmarts, Sam's Clubs Hit By Dad-Son Robbers Across NJ, PA: Authorities A Philadelphia man and his son are accused of carrying out a string of armed robberies across the mid-Atlantic states over a period of months, and the elder suspect is still at large, authorities say.  Jamaal Mitchell, 42, and his 24-year-old son Jahmir Mitchell are charged with robbery, retail theft, terroristic threats, and related counts, said Tilden Township police in a release on Wednesday, April 26.  In Berks County, the pair are suspects in the Oct. 16, 2022 robbery of the Tilden Walmart, authorities said. Investigators believe they stuffed over $900 worth of merchandise into two sh…
Central Jersey Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery During Pizza Delivery Central Jersey Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery During Pizza Delivery
Central Jersey Man Sentenced For Armed Robbery During Pizza Delivery A 27-year-old man from Old Bridge has been sentenced in an armed robbery, authorities said. Tyjier Summers has been sentenced to 25 years in New Jersey State Prison for robbing a pizza delivery man, as well as other robberies, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone. On May 13, 2019, at 11:01 P.M., Perth Amboy Police officers responded to Rector Street for a report of a robbery in progress. Police found a victim who stated an unknown male, who was later identified as Summers, tried to rob him, with what was later confirmed to be a handgun, whil…
OTHER SHOE DROPS: Young NJ Armed Robber Spits On Deal, Gets 23 Years Without Parole OTHER SHOE DROPS: Young NJ Armed Robber Spits On Deal, Gets 23 Years Without Parole
Other Shoe Drops: Young NJ Armed Robber Spits On Deal, Gets 23 Years Without Parole UPDATE: A state judge in Paterson on Friday hammered a 22-year-old Garfield man who was convicted of robbing four different victims at gunpoint in a one-man crime spree. Jimmy German rejected a plea offer from prosecutors and lost big when it came time to face the music. Superior Court Judge Justine A. Niccollai sentenced German to 27 years in state prison -- 85% of which must be served under New Jersey’s No Early Release Act before he’ll be eligible for parole -- during a brief court proceeding on March 31. That’s 23 years before German will taste freedom again, longer than he's been aliv…
Keyport Man, Girlfriend Tried To Bribe Motel Sex Assault Victim: Prosecutor Keyport Man, Girlfriend Tried To Bribe Motel Sex Assault Victim: Prosecutor
Keyport Man, Girlfriend Tried To Bribe Motel Sex Assault Victim: Prosecutor Monmouth County Grand Jury has indicted a man and his girlfriend for jointly attempting to bribe the victim of a violent sexual assault at a motel, authorities said. The victim was attacked at gunpoint by the Keyport man and the couple is accused of trying to prevent her from cooperating in his prosecution, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. Kareem Lee, 32, and Erin Logan, 31, also of Keyport, are each charged with conspiracy and bribery of a witness, Santiago said. Lee also was charged with armed robbery, aggravated sexual assault and weapons offens…
Getaway Driver In NJ Drug Killing Convicted Of Felony Murder, Conspiracy, More Getaway Driver In NJ Drug Killing Convicted Of Felony Murder, Conspiracy, More
Getaway Driver In NJ Drug Killing Convicted Of Felony Murder, Conspiracy, More UPDATE: The getaway driver in an armed robbery turned cold-blooded killing in Fairview was convicted this week of felony murder, among other counts, following a trial in Hackensack. David Martinez of North Bergen will get a minimum 30-year state prison sentence, at the very least, for the June 2019 shooting death of David Duque-Soto at his Fourth Street apartment. Superior Court Judge Margaret M. Foti, who presided over the four-week trial, scheduled sentencing for April 21. Assistant Bergen County Prosecutors Suzanne Cevasco and Matthew Fitzpatrick presented 16 witnesses to prove that Ma…
UPDATE: Pair Busted In State Police Takedown Tied To NJ Gunpoint Home Invasion UPDATE: Pair Busted In State Police Takedown Tied To NJ Gunpoint Home Invasion
Update: Pair Busted In State Police Takedown Tied To NJ Gunpoint Home Invasion A gunpoint home invasion robbery in Cresskill nearly six months ago was committed by two accused members of a massive auto theft ring smashed by New Jersey State Police, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said Monday in announcing charges against them. James Lanier and Carlos Sanchez of Newark are both 24 and have been running together for some time now, records show. Both were among several defendants arrested during a November 2022 State Police takedown of a ring led by Sanchez that authorities said stole more than 30 high-end vehicles – including BMWs and Land Rovers – that were wort…
GUILTY: Parolee Faces Long Federal Stretch In NJ, NY Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups GUILTY: Parolee Faces Long Federal Stretch In NJ, NY Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups
Guilty: Parolee Faces Long Federal Stretch In NJ, NY Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups A Union County parolee who was nabbed by Lyndhurst police after a months-long armed robbery spree of liquor and convenience stores in two states -- including one in which he fired a handgun -- was convicted by federal jurors in Newark of all 10 counts against him. Vincent Chan-Guillen, 32, had just been paroled from state prison after serving three years for drug and weapons convictions when the holdups began in August 2018. He committed nine altogether over the next three months, four of them at liquor stores in New Jersey and five others at establishments in New York, the U.S. District Co…
One-Man Crime Wave: Arrest Made In Armed Gas Station, 7-Eleven Robberies In Four NJ Towns One-Man Crime Wave: Arrest Made In Armed Gas Station, 7-Eleven Robberies In Four NJ Towns
One-Man Crime Wave: Arrest Made In Armed Gas Station, 7-Eleven Robberies In Four NJ Towns Authorities charged an Essex County man with robbing three gas stations and two convenience stores in Bergen County at gunpoint – four of them in one night. Thomas Johnson, 30, of East Orange brandished a handgun while holding up two gas stations in Mahwah, another in Paramus and a 7-Eleven in Fair Lawn of several thousand dollars in less than half an hour late last month, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said. Johnson did it again three nights later, robbing a 7-Eleven in Elmwood Park of $650 as two employees locked themselves in the bathroom and called police, the prosecutor said. T…
GOTCHA! Hardcore Ex-Con Trio Robbed 80-Year-Old Shopper In Route 46 Costco Lot: Prosecutor GOTCHA! Hardcore Ex-Con Trio Robbed 80-Year-Old Shopper In Route 46 Costco Lot: Prosecutor
Gotcha! Hardcore Ex-Con Trio Robbed 80-Year-Old Shopper In Route 46 Costco Lot: Prosecutor UPDATE: Authorities charged three hardcore criminals from Newark with robbing a defenseless 80-year-old shopper in the parking lot of a Costco off Route 46 in Teterboro. Ex-cons Alex Carroll, 35, David Fate, 38, and Tariq Kyam, 57, all have extensive, violent criminal histories, records show. Kyam and Fate were both charged with committing two robberies in 2009, one of which left a Verona gas station attendant shot dead. Kyam served nearly nine years behind bars after Fate testified against him. How much time Fate served in exchange for his testimony couldn't immediately be determined. Th…
Central Jersey Man Leads NY Pursuit After Armed Robbery: Police Central Jersey Man Leads NY Pursuit After Armed Robbery: Police
Central Jersey Man Leads NY Pursuit After Armed Robbery: Police A Central Jersey man wanted in an armed robbery of a Hudson Valley mini-mart was nabbed by state police following a chase on the Sprain Brook Parkway. New York State troopers were advised to look out for a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox wanted in an armed robbery for a Clarkstown, NY minimart around 9:45 a.m. Monday, Dec. 12, Trooper Tara McCormick said. The car, driven by Shahzad A. Khan, 41, of Carteret, was spotted heading southbound on the Mario Cuomo Bridge, she said. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver refused to stop and a pursuit ensued, McCormick said.  Khan ex…
ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: Federal Judge Orders Passaic County Pair Held ARMED ROBBERY RAMPAGE: Federal Judge Orders Passaic County Pair Held
Armed Robbery Rampage: Federal Judge Orders Passaic County Pair Held Two Paterson men who were captured following a terrifying armed robbery rampage must remain in custody, a federal judge in Newark ordered. Carlos Diaz and Edward Porter and an unidentified third bandit menaced customers with handguns, ordering them to lie on the floor, while robbed a Passaic bodega this past Aug. 22, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. The pair, both 30, then robbed a Passaic liquor store of several thousand dollars at gunpoint -- with Porter pistol-whipping a victim, the U.S. attorney said. Later that night, they robbed another business, where Porter "pushed one vict…
Armed Robber Admits Role In Multiple Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups In NJ, NY Armed Robber Admits Role In Multiple Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups In NJ, NY
Armed Robber Admits Role In Multiple Liquor, Convenience Store Holdups In NJ, NY UPDATE: A member of a New Jersey-based armed robbery crew copped to holding up five liquor and convenience stores in two states, federal authorities said. Jaime Fontanez, 45, of Elizabeth and two accomplices went on a six-month armed robbery spree beginning in August 2018, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Federal authorities tied the crew to 13 holdups in all in Essex, Union and Middlesex counties, as well as in the Bronx and upstate New York, the U.S. attorney said. The robbers followed a basic script, with two of them going into the business with their faces covered while a wheelm…