HOWELL, NJ – A Howell Township police officer played a crucial role in the swift arrest of a 19-year-old suspect involved in an armed robbery.
On February 13, Howell police apprehended Giancarlo Nevarez, 19, from Clarksburg in Millstone, following a reported armed robbery near Five Guys Burgers and Fries in Candlewood Shopping Center.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced that Nevarez faces charges of first-degree armed robbery, along with second-degree charges for possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The incident unfolded around 3 p.m. when a caller reported a gunshot during an attempted sale of designer sneakers arranged over the Internet.
The buyer, upon meeting, brandished a handgun, demanding the sneakers, which led to a shot being fired before the suspect fled with the goods.
The victims provided a description of the suspect and his vehicle, a gray van resembling an Amazon delivery vehicle. Patrolman Nicholas Matteo, near Route 9 and Regal Plaza, spotted a van matching the description. After conducting a high-risk stop with backup, officers secured the driver, identified as Nevarez, who matched the suspect’s description. A search of the van revealed a 9mm handgun, a shell casing, and the stolen sneakers.
Nevarez was arrested, charged, and subsequently detained at Monmouth County Jail pending a detention hearing. The Howell Police Department praised the coordinated effort of their officers and detectives, along with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, for their exceptional work leading to the arrest.