A joint investigation by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, Union Police Department and the New Jersey State Police has led to the arrest of a Newark man in connection with a string of armed gas station robberies, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel and Union Police Director Christopher Donnelly announced today.
On September 13, 2023, the Union Police Department arrested Joseph Young, 26, in connection with a series of armed gas station robberies that occurred on September 5, 2023.
Young is charged with four counts of first-degree robbery, one count second-degree eluding, three counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, two counts of third-degree aggravated assault, two counts of third-degree conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, one count of third-degree receiving a motor vehicle, and one count of third-degree terroristic threats, according to Union County Prosecutor Nicole Siano, who is prosecuting the case.
On September 5, 2023, the New Jersey State Police and Union Police Department received reports of three robberies that had occurred within thirty minutes of each other along the Garden State Parkway. In each robbery, multiple suspects arrived at a gas station in a stolen vehicle and approached the victims demanding money and other items at gunpoint. During two of the robberies, the victims were assaulted.
The intensive investigation that followed, led by the Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence Driven Prosecution Unit, Union Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Summit Police Department resulted in the identification of Young as one of the suspects in the armed robberies. He was subsequently arrested following a vehicle pursuit in Newark, New Jersey on September 13th. Young remains in the Essex County Jail pending further Court proceedings.
“I want to assure the public that the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and our partner law enforcement agencies remain committed to tirelessly pursuing those who threaten the safety and security of the communities we serve,” Prosecutor Daniel stated.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective William Young of the Union Police Department at (908) 851-5037 or Detective Robert Aranda of the New Jersey State Police at (732) 441-4500 x 3432.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously by phone at 908-654-TIPS (8477) or online at www.uctip.org; submission of tips made in this fashion that result in an arrest and indictment can be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000 via the Union County Crime Stoppers.
These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.