By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Bergen County announced the arrest of Francisco B. Verdugo, 22, of Upper Saddle River, who was identified as an additional suspect involved in an armed robbery investigation, which was previously announced on May 21, 2024.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, this additional arrest is the result of the continuing investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Matthew Finck and the Allendale Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Dillon.
As previously reported, officials stated that the Allendale Police Department was summoned to an apartment complex on Monday, March 25, at approximately 3:48 p.m.
Upon arrival, officials say, responding officers discovered that an armed robbery occurred, and the assailant fled the scene. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad was notified and responded.
During a two-month investigation that followed, detectives determined the victim was confronted outside of his home by an armed suspect, later identified as Jahan A. Hendley, who produced a handgun and led the victim back inside his apartment, officials said.
According to officials, during the robbery, Hendley assaulted the victim in the apartment and stole marijuana, approximately $900 in cash, and a bottle of liquor from the residence. While fleeing, Hendley pointed his gun at another victim who was unrelated to the incident and in the area of the apartment complex.
As previously announced on May 21, 2024, authorities say that Jahan A. Hendley, who was already incarcerated at the Bergen County Jail on an unrelated matter, was served with various criminal charges related to this incident.
Since his arrest by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and Allendale Police Department, Jahan A. Hendley has remained in the Bergen County Jail. Subsequently, the investigation into this case continued, and detectives ultimately developed information that Francisco B. Verdugo was an accomplice of Jahan A. Hendley, officials said.
Specifically, the continuing investigation revealed that Verdugo drove Hendley to and from the armed robbery in Allendale on March 25, authorities say.
Additionally, detectives determined that Verdugo attempted to sell proceeds from the armed robbery afterward, according to officials.
Officials stated that on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, Francisco B. Verdugo was arrested in Paramus and charged with first-degree armed robbery (accomplice liability), second-degree conspiracy to commit robbery, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.