By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man was arraigned Monday on charges connected to an armed robbery at a Livingston pharmacy in December 2023, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced.
Nariq Petes, 26, was indicted on October 11, 2024, on three counts: conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a violent crime. Petes entered a plea of not guilty and was detained following his arraignment before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark federal court.
According to court documents and statements, on December 30, 2023, Petes and an accomplice allegedly drove to the pharmacy, entered wearing black masks, and Petes brandished a handgun while demanding prescription medications. The pair fled with at least six bottles of prescription drugs.
If convicted, Petes faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of the robbery charges. The firearms charge carries a mandatory minimum of seven years, with a maximum penalty of life in prison, to be served consecutively to any other sentence.