SOUTH HACKENSACK, N.J. – Five men from New Jersey and Pennsylvania have been charged in an armed robbery that left a man with a head wound after he was allegedly struck with a metal object believed to be a handgun on Saddle River Road.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced Friday that Ajahmir S. Cuttino, 23, of Scranton; Rhyonne S. Jackson, 24, of Passaic; Ajahwan T. Kenner, 26, of West Orange; Antrell Monroe, 24, of Wilkes-Barre; and Jahad K. Watson, 24, of Wilkes-Barre were arrested following a joint investigation with South Hackensack police.
The case dates to May 9, when South Hackensack officers went to a local hospital after learning of a possible assault and robbery earlier that day. Investigators said the victim was attacked during a robbery on Saddle River Road, treated for a non-life-threatening head wound and later released.
Victim Told Police He Was Hit With What He Believed Was a Handgun
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, five people participated in the robbery and physical assault, with one appearing to have a handgun.
The group allegedly took cash and other personal belongings before leaving the area.
Detectives identified a black Jeep Grand Cherokee as the getaway vehicle. The investigation continued for more than three months before authorities identified the five men they allege participated in the attack.
- Five defendants each face first-degree armed robbery and multiple weapons and aggravated assault charges.
- The victim suffered a non-life-threatening head wound after being struck with a metal object he believed was a handgun.
- Three defendants were arrested in New Jersey, while two were captured in Pennsylvania and are awaiting extradition.
Arrest warrants were filed Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to prosecutors.
What charges do the five South Hackensack robbery suspects face?
All five are charged with first-degree armed robbery, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree aggravated assault and fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.
Three Suspects Captured in New Jersey
The arrests began Thursday when detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and South Hackensack Police Department located Jackson, Kenner and Monroe in Passaic County.
The Passaic Police Department and West Orange Police Department assisted with the operation. Prosecutors said all three men were taken into custody without incident.
Investigators then turned their attention to Jackson’s residence in Passaic.
With assistance from the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, detectives executed a court-authorized search warrant at the home.
After Jackson’s arrest, detectives discovered an unserialized firearm loaded with a high-capacity magazine inside a backpack they believe belonged to him, according to prosecutors.
Jackson was consequently charged with an additional count of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree possession of an unserialized firearm.
Did investigators recover a firearm?
Prosecutors said detectives found an unserialized firearm loaded with a high-capacity magazine in a backpack believed to belong to Jackson. That discovery resulted in two additional charges against him.
Jackson, Kenner and Monroe were taken to the Bergen County Jail, where prosecutors said they were being detained pending further court proceedings.
Pennsylvania Police Capture Two Remaining Defendants
Investigators also crossed state lines Thursday as they worked to locate Cuttino and Watson.
With assistance from police in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton, Bergen County and South Hackensack detectives located both men in Pennsylvania. Authorities there took them into custody without incident.
Watson was lodged in the Luzerne County Jail, while Cuttino was taken to the Lackawanna County Prison.
Both remain detained pending extradition to New Jersey, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The arrests bring all five defendants identified in the investigation into custody, nearly four months after the Saddle River Road robbery.
Are all five suspects now in custody?
Yes. Jackson, Kenner and Monroe are being held in Bergen County, while Cuttino and Watson were arrested in Pennsylvania and are awaiting extradition back to New Jersey.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office said the investigation was conducted by its Special Investigations Squad and the South Hackensack Police Department. The charges are accusations, and each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Sources: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Aug. 28 press release; South Hackensack Police Department investigation as detailed by the prosecutor’s office
