By: Richard L. Smith
A Newark man has been sentenced to nine years in state prison for his role in the daylight robbery of an Amazon delivery driver in June 2023.
The sentencing, handed down by Union County Superior Court Judge Daniel Roberts, requires that the defendant serve at least 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole, according to a statement released by the Linden Police Department.
Anthony Torres, 24, pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery following the incident, which occurred on the afternoon of June 7, 2023, in the parking lot of Jersey Lanes, located at 30 North Park Avenue.
Authorities reported that the Amazon driver had parked his delivery truck in the lot to take a break when Torres approached the vehicle.
Reaching through the open side door, Torres grabbed the driver’s backpack.
When the victim confronted Torres, grabbing his shirt as the suspect entered a nearby vehicle, Torres retaliated by striking the driver several times.
As the vehicle sped away, the driver was struck, sustaining minor injuries. Despite the injuries, the victim was able to provide crucial details to police that contributed to Torres’ arrest and eventual conviction.
This sentencing marks the conclusion of the case, underscoring the severity of the crime and its impact on the victim.
The Linden Police Department commended the quick response of officers and the cooperation of the victim, which played a key role in bringing the suspect to justice.