GTPD: Teens Charged in Erial Armed Robbery

Police have charged two teens, including a juvenile, with robbing a man at gunpoint as he exited his car outside his Erial home Monday night.

Police believe the two teens were preparing for a second armed robbery in as many nights Tuesday shortly before they were apprehended in Erial, Gloucester Township Police Deputy Chief David Harkins said.

Both suspects tossed loaded handguns to the ground as police gave chase, according to Harkins.

The teens—a 17-year-old male, whom police are not identifying due to his juvenile status, and Nasir Allen, 19, of Noble Road, Erial—were arrested after an area resident reported suspicious activity in the area of Dunlin Way and Jarvis Road at around 10:40 p.m. Tuesday.

The tipster's descriptions of the "suspicious persons" matched those of the suspects in Monday's armed robbery on nearby Pine Glen Drive, Harkins said, prompting police to quickly move into the area.

The suspects ran toward Noble Road as officers swarmed the area. Police captured one suspect during a foot chase and found the other hiding in a closet in his home a short time later.

The teens were said to be hiding in bushes shortly before they were arrested Tuesday night, perhaps due to increased police activity in the area following Monday's armed robbery on Pine Glen Drive, according to Harkins.

Allen and the 17-year-old boy have been charged with Monday's armed robbery, during which $18 was stolen from the victim, Harkins said.

They are also charged with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and obstruction of justice.

Allen was lodged in Camden County Jail on $100,000 bail. The juvenile is being held at Camden County Youth Center.