By: Richard L. Smith
Two men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for a series of robberies that took place across Union County in 2021, according to a statement released by the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. 
On Friday, February 7, Union County Superior Court Judge Chanel J. Hudson sentenced 34-year-old Lawrence Thomas (pictured) of Edgewater Park to 17 years in state prison and 33-year-old Travis Price of Linden to 13 years. Both men must serve at least 85% of their respective sentences before becoming eligible for parole.
Price also received an additional seven-year sentence for a separate second-degree robbery to which he pleaded guilty, with the same parole requirement.
The sentencing follows their conviction on November 25, 2024, when a jury found Thomas and Price guilty of three counts of second-degree robbery and three counts of second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery.
Additionally, Price was convicted of third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
The convictions stem from three robberies committed on February 18 and 21, 2021, in Roselle, Union, and Linden.
An extensive investigation led by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Intelligence and Narcotics Division, Roselle, Union, Linden, and Elizabeth police departments, resulted in the identification and arrest of the two men. 
“The arrest and prosecution of this case could not be possible without the coordinated effort of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the participating municipal police agencies,” said Assistant Prosecutor Izabella Wozniak, who handled the case alongside Assistant Prosecutor Shivani Trivedi.