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Cesar Rosario, 31, conspired with Ismael Miranda to hold up two people in the early morning hours of June 24, acting Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal said Wednesday evening.
The victims pulled up in a 2004 Honda Odyssey to meet with both men in the area of Summer and Cedar streets when Miranda pulled out a handgun and demanded cash and drugs, Grewal said.
As the vehicle sped off, Miranda fired but missed, he said.
Two plainclothes cit police officers on patrol in the area heard the commotion, went to investigate and ordered Miranda to drop the gun when they saw him, the prosecutor said.
"When Miranda did not comply, both officers fired their weapons, striking Miranda," who "was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene," Grewal said.
A .380 caliber handgun was recovered next to him, the prosecutor said.
Members of Grewal's Major Crimes Unit tracked down the vehicle after he posted a surveillance photo of it and arrested Rosario at his home on Tuesday, the prosecutor said.
Rosario was being held on $250,000 bail in the Passaic County Jail after being arraigned on armed robbery and conspiracy charges Wednesday afternoon.
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