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George C. Battle IV and another man had made arrangement with the victim over a social media application to conduct a drug deal near Lancaster Court in Montgomery Township on Jan. 17 around 6:30 p.m., Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson said.
A man got into the passenger's seat of his car and pointed a black gun at him while another man got into the back of the car and demanded his wallet, cell phone, car keys and hat, Robertson said alongside Montgomery Township Police Director/Captain James M. Gill.
The two suspects then physically removed the victim from his car and ordered him into a silver BMW sedan driven by a female suspect, authorities said.
The male suspect with the gun hit the victim over the head with the butt of the gun and a ski mask was placed over the victim’s head, Robertson said.
The victim was driven to a nearby ATM where he was instructed to withdraw $420 and give it to the suspects, authorities said.
An investigation identified Battle as one of the suspects, and he was arrested on April 28, Robertson and Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor said.
Battle was taken into custody at the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office without incident. The investigation remains on-going into the identification of additional suspects.
Battle has been charged with 1st degree Armed Robbery, 2nd degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun, 2nd degree Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery and 2nd degree Luring. Defendant Battle was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.
Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Police Director/Captain Gill request anyone with information relating to this robbery to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at (908) 231-7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at (908) 359-3222 or via the STOPit app.
The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ.
Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.
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