LAKEWOOD, NJ – Police arrested a 21-year-old man after a botched attempted armed robbery in Lakewood Township on Thursday.
Ricardo Buitron, 21, is alleged to have approached a 20-year-old victim in the area of Lexington Avenue and Fourth Street, armed with a pair of scissors at around 9:30 pm. Buitron approached the victim and demanded his money.
The victim was able to push the male and run into a nearby store located in the 400 block of Lexington Avenue. The suspect fled the area on foot. The victim provided a description of the suspect to the police.
According to Captain Greg Staffordsmith, officers began searching the area for the suspect when they were flagged down by a resident who reported a male subject matching the description of the victim was spotted behind a building on 4th Street setting a fire.
Police went to the area and found a cardboard box on fire+
directly behind the establishment. In addition, officers observed a gas can in the immediate area. The small fire was subsequently extinguished.
Buitron was located nearby by police and arrested.
