BY Christopher Lang, Correspondent, @topherlang2 | MonroeNow | Jul 5, 2018
NORTH BRUNSWICK – Three suspects who allegedly attempted to rob a warehouse on Jersey Avenue in North Brunswick arrested July 4 after a security guard was able to escape capture to call the police, according to a release from the North Brunswick Police Department on Thursday.
Alleged suspects Axell Mendoza, 30, of North Bergen, Alex Pelerigo, 50, of Elizabeth and Jun Jang, 31 of Iselin were charged with robbery, burglary theft, possession of a weapon, resisting arrest and eluding. They were transported to the Middlesex County Department of Corrections pending a court appearance.
According to police, the suspects arrived at the warehouse at 1675 Jersey Ave., around 7 p.m. They allegedly had a handgun, police said, and were able to overpower the security guard who was working at the site.
With the guard detained, the suspects allegedly then “went on to attempt a significant theft of merchandise from that facility, police said. In the meantime, the security guards was able to get free and went to a nearby neighborhood to call for help.
The suspects were still at the scene when North Brunswick police arrived, according to the release. One of the suspects, police said, got into a box-style truck and attempted to allegedly flee northbound on Jersey Avenue. Police pursued the vehicle into New Brunswick where the truck crashed and the drive allegedly fled on foot. Police were able to detain the suspect.
While the box-truck scene was unfolding, remaining units at the Jersey Avenue warehouse created a perimeter around the building to contain and find the other two alleged suspects. After searching the building, police reported that they found the other two individuals “hiding near the building and were subsequently taken into custody.”
During a search, police said they found “items of evidence, including the weapon used.” The investigation received assistance from the Middlesex County Special Operations Response Team, the New Brunswick and South Brunswick police departments, North Brunswick Fire Department and First Aid and Rescue Squad, Sherriff’s Department and the Department of Transportation.
Though police believe the alleged suspects were the only individuals involved, the investigation is still open. Anyone who may have additional information is asked to call the North Brunswick Detective Bureau at 732-247-0992, ext. 420.
Christopher Lang media portfolio 