MAPLEWOOD SHOOTING TIED TO 10 OTHER ROBBERIES, REWARD OFFERED

The Essex County Sheriff's Office is offering a $5,000 reward in the April 1, 2013 shooting of a clerk at MS & K Confectionery in Maplewood and tying the crime to 10 other robberies in the area.

This notice posted by the sheriff's office:

Reward Offer in 11 Armed Robberies

Newark – Law enforcement authorities today posted a cash reward offer for information that leads to the arrest of two suspects wanted in connection with multiple armed robberies in multiple municipalities in three north Jersey counties. Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that the Crimestoppers program would pay up to $5,000 for details that lead to arrests. Fontoura said that since February 1, 2013 the two suspects are believed to have robbed eleven convenience stores, liquor stores and gas stations. The suspects are described as two black males dressed all in black and wearing hoodies and black masks. The suspects carry large backpacks and a red messenger-style bag with a red stripe. Fontoura said that upon entering the stores the suspects point a large silver handgun to the head of the clerk and demand cash. The clerks are then bound with ziplock ties while the registers are cleaned out. In addition to taking cash, the suspects have also stolen Newport cigarettes in each robbery. Among the locations robbed are: Feb. 1, 2013 – convenience store in Linden Feb. 1, 2013 – gas station in Newark Feb. 2, 2013 – Shoppers Express in Belleville Feb. 11, 2013 – Krauszer’s in Kearny Feb. 13 – Krauszer’s in Bloomfield Feb. 19, 2013 – convenience store in Newark March 29, 2013 – Krauszer’s in Bloomfield Apr. 1, 2013 – liquor store in Maplewood (clerk shot in chest) Apr. 17, 2013 – convenience store in Belleville Apr. 17, 2013 – liquor store in Linden Apr. 24, 2013 – Krauszer’s in West Orange Persons with information about the armed robberies are urged to call Belleville Police Det. Joe Mundy at 973-450-3351, Kearny Police Det. Sgt. John View at 862-215-5803 or Maplewood Police Det. Ray Rosonia at 973-761-7927. All calls to law enforcement will be kept confidential.