A federal grand jury last week returned a 19-count indictment against a Newark man in connection with a series of armed robberies earlier this year, including one at a Belleville convenience store and two at a Bloomfield deli. According to U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman, the suspect, Jamar Darby (a/k/a Rhino), 26, is linked to nine robberies in Essex, Bergen and Union counties between Feb. 1 and May 20, 2013.
The Belleville hold-up occurred Feb. 2 at Shoppers Express, 304 Belleville Ave. In that and the other crimes, Darby allegedly brandished a handgun and he and his conspirators, who have not been named, reportedly stole cash, cigarettes and other items.
The indictment also alleges that Darby twice hit the same Bloomfield deli, Krauszer’s at 300 Broad St., on Feb. 13 and March 29.
Darby was previously arrested in connection with the May 20 robbery of a Subway Restaurant in Verona where he and two other individuals allegedly restrained an employee, emptied the cash registers and fled.
The indictment also charges Darby with the following hold-ups: Linden Stationery, Linden, Feb. 1; Delta Gas Station, Newark, Feb. 1; Pat’s Deli, Newark, Feb. 19; Smashburger, Paramus, March 16, and South Wood Discount Liquor, Linden, April 17.
Fishman credited special agents of the FBI with the investigation leading to the Sept. 25 indictment. He also thanked the Belleville, Bloomfield, Kearny, Linden, Maplewood, Newark, Paramus, Verona and West Orange Police Departments, the N.J. State Police and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office for their work on this case.
– Karen Zautyk
