Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Roberson Burney, 60, of Newark was sentenced to life in prison today by the Honorable James W. Donohue, Judge of the Superior Court.
In March an Essex County jury convicted Burney of first-degree robbery, burglary, three counts of aggravated assault, three counts of criminal restraint and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Roger Imhof, who handled the case.
On Christmas night in Bloomfield in 2015 Burney, a contractor, entered the home with what appeared to be a shotgun, tied up a woman and two girls and robbed them of two Amazon Kindles, credit cards and jewelry.
Burney had previously worked as a contractor at the victim’s home in the fall of 2015.
“Life in prison was appropriate given this defendant’s extensive criminal record. He was previously convicted of first degree armed robberies on three other occasions. At the time of this offense, he was also on federal parole for a carjacking,’’ Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Imhof said.