By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced the arrest of Yassine G. Rahi, 18, of Bayonne, for robbery, aggravated assault, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, endangering an injured victim, and theft by unlawful taking.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella stated that the arrest is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Moonachie Police Department under the direction of Chief Richard Behrens.
Officials said on Wednesday, March 20, at approximately 4:58 p.m., the Moonachie Police Department responded to Avenue C in Moonachie, NJ, for a reported hit-and-run.
According to officials, responding officers located a 22-year-old victim with a serious bodily injury who was struck by an unknown suspect operating a vehicle that sped from the scene after robbing the victim during a pre-arranged Facebook Marketplace transaction.
Officers learned that the victim met with the suspect intending to purchase a PlayStation 5 video game console, officials stated.
Officials say the Moonachie Police Department notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and a joint investigation was initiated.
During the investigation, officials said, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit detectives and the Moonachie Police Department identified a pattern of unsolved Facebook Marketplace robberies in northern New Jersey involving fictitious Facebook accounts selling PlayStation 5 video game consoles.
Authorities say the user of these Facebook accounts would advertise a sale of the video game system and arrange a meeting.
When it came time for the in-person transaction, the suspect would rob the victims of the money intended for the purchase of the video game console, officials stated.
Officials say a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies in northern New Jersey was led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and identified Yassine G. Rahi as the individual who robbed the victim of $275 and struck the victim with his getaway vehicle while fleeing the incident in Moonachie.
As a result of the investigation, Yassine G. Rahi was arrested in Bayonne on April 4 by detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the Moonachie Police Department, the Ridgefield Park Police Department, and the Guttenberg Police Department, officials said.
Authorities say Rahi was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and fourth-degree theft by unlawful taking.
Rahi was issued several motor vehicle summonses, officials say, and was remanded to the Bergen County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
According to officials, this investigation, led by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, is continuing, and additional charges are expected to be filed in coordination with partner agencies for the robberies that occurred in other jurisdictions.
“I want to take this opportunity to remind all residents of Bergen County about the importance of exercising caution and vigilance when engaging in online transactions,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
“While various online platforms offer a convenient way to buy and sell property, they also present opportunities for exploitation by dishonest individuals. If you must use social media or an online platform to arrange a transaction, meet at a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ which is a designated area that is usually equipped with security cameras and may be offered at your local police department.”
Prosecutor Mark Musella further noted about such online transactions, “Whether or not you conduct an online transaction at a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ always meet in public, well-lit areas, and never meet a stranger alone. Trust your instincts – if something feels off or too good to be true, it likely is. Additionally, report any suspicious activity or encounters to your local police without delay. By remaining vigilant and taking necessary precautions, we can help safeguard ourselves and our communities.”