By: Richard L. Smith
A collaborative effort between the Union County Prosecutor's Office, Union Police Department, and the New Jersey State Police has culminated in the arrest of Joseph Young, 26, of Newark, in connection with a spate of armed gas station heists on September 5, 2023.
Reports came flooding in on September 5 about three separate robberies on the Garden State Parkway, each occurring within a half-hour span.
The assailants, arriving in a stolen vehicle, confronted victims at gunpoint, demanding cash and valuables.
Tragically, during two of these incidents, the victims were physically assaulted.
It was a comprehensive investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Prosecutor's Office Intelligence-Driven Prosecution Unit, Union Police Department, New Jersey State Police, and Summit Police Department, that pinpointed Young as a prime suspect. Following a car chase in Newark on September 13, Young was detained.
Charged with a laundry list of offenses, including first-degree robbery and third-degree terroristic threats, Young currently awaits further legal proceedings at the Essex County Jail.
Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel offered assurances to the community, saying, "The Union County Prosecutor's Office, along with our allied agencies, remains steadfast in our dedication to relentlessly chase down those compromising our community's safety."
The case remains active, and detectives urge anyone with crucial information to contact Detective William Young at (908) 851-5037 or Detective Robert Aranda at (732) 441-4500 x 3432.
Anonymous tip-offs leading to an arrest could earn informants up to a $10,000 reward through the Union County Crime Stoppers at www.uctip.org or 908-654-TIPS (8477).
