New Jersey Liquor Store Robber Finally Caught After Nine Heists

Committing one liquor store robbery comes with serious penalties in New Jersey. But what if you go on a liquor-store-robbing spree? What if you pull off a total of nine heists over just a few months, raking in serious cash in the process without getting caught? What if the police finally bring you to justice? What kind of penalties can you expect for these offenses? As any defense attorney will tell you, this will probably result in many years behind bars – and this is what one bank robber is now discovering.

Liquor Store Robber Finally Caught After Nine Robberies 

On March 8th, it was reported that a Union County liquor store robber had finally been brought to justice after a total of nine liquor store robberies across both New Jersey and New York. This individual had carried out these robberies within the space of just a few months. The defendant brandished a firearm upon entering these establishments, threatening employees and customers as he seized cash from the tills. This individual now faces:

• Three counts of Hobbs Act robbery
• One count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery
• Three counts of brandishing a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery
• One count of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• One count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery
• One count of conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery

Each count of Hobbs Act Robbery and each count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Each count of brandishing a firearm during a Hobbs Act robbery carries a mandatory minimum of seven years and a maximum penalty of life in prison. Each count comes with a $250,000 fine, and each sentence must run consecutively. This means that this liquor store robber will likely be spending many years behind bars.

What Is Hobbs Act Robbery? 

Hobbs Act robbery is a federal law that specifically addresses robberies that interfere with interstate commerce. Like most crimes, the penalties increase whenever you commit offenses that involve moving across state lines. Since the aforementioned liquor store thief carried out crimes in both New Jersey and New York, he technically falls into this category. If you have been accused of Hobbs Act robbery, it may be a good strategy to have these offenses to prove that your crimes did not interfere with interstate commerce.

Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney in New Jersey? 

Hobbs Act robbery is a serious offense, and it makes sense to get in touch with a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer as soon as you face an arrest. Choose Phillip J. Murphy, Attorney at Law, and you can approach this situation in the most confident, effective manner possible. You may still have the ability to pursue a positive outcome even after multiple bank robberies. Get in touch today to get started with an effective defense strategy.

Sources: 

justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/union-county-man-convicted-multiple-armed-robberies-and-firearms-offenses

justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-2403-hobbs-act-extortion-force-violence-or-fear