Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman announce the sentencing of three males in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the evening of October 21, 2018, in Victory Gardens.
According to Morris County officials, Victor Hernandez, 20, and Marlon Martinez, 24, both with last known addresses in Rockaway Borough, were both sentenced by the Hon. Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C. to three (3) years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five (85) percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act.
Morris County officials said on February 11, both Hernandez and Martinez had entered separate guilty pleas to one (1) count of second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery before the Hon. Catherine I. Enright, J.A.D.
Officials say, Carlos Rodriguez, 22, with a last known address in Victory Gardens, was previously sentenced by Judge Enright on March 29, to five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five (85) percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. On February 27, 2019, Rodriguez entered a guilty plea to one (1) count of the first-degree Robbery before Judge Enright.
Morris County officials said the charges arise from a home invasion robbery that occurred in Victory Gardens on October 21, 2018.
The investigation revealed that the defendants entered a residence through a closed, but unlocked, front door during the evening hours. Officials say the leaseholder and two guests occupied the house.
During their guilty pleas, Hernandez and Martinez both acknowledged that they were armed with weapons, specifically metal pipes and that they had agreed with Rodriguez and one another to enter the residence to commit theft according to officials.
During his guilty plea, Rodriguez acknowledged that he entered the residence with the two other males, both of whom were armed
with metal pipes. Rodriguez further admits that he stole a safe and metal chains from the home while the other males used the metal pipes to threaten the victims officials said.
Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang, who represented the State in these cases, members of the New Jersey State Police, the Rockaway Borough Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, who contributed to the successful prosecution of this matter.