SOUTH HACKENSACK, N.J. – Five men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery and aggravated assault in South Hackensack after a months-long investigation led authorities to suspects in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced Friday.
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 each charged with first-degree armed robbery and several weapons and assault offenses. Three are being held in Bergen County, while two await extradition from Pennsylvania.
The investigation began after South Hackensack police responded to a hospital May 9 and spoke with victims of a robbery that allegedly occurred earlier that day. One adult male told investigators he had been struck in the head with a metal object he believed was a handgun during a robbery on Saddle River Road.
- Five men face first-degree armed robbery, weapons and aggravated assault charges.
- Investigators allege five people assaulted and robbed a man on Saddle River Road before fleeing in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- Three defendants are detained in Bergen County, while two arrested in Pennsylvania await extradition to New Jersey.
Months-Long Investigation Leads Detectives to Five Suspects
The victim suffered a head wound that was not considered life-threatening and was treated and released from the hospital, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. The prosecutor’s Special Investigations Squad joined the South Hackensack Police Department in investigating the case.
Investigators allege five people, including one who appeared to have a handgun, physically assaulted and robbed the victim before taking cash and other personal property.
Detectives identified a black Jeep Grand Cherokee as the alleged getaway vehicle. Over the following months, investigators identified Cuttino, Jackson, Kenner, Monroe and Watson as the men they allege participated in the robbery and assault.
Arrest warrants were filed Wednesday. Each man was 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.
Arrests Made in New Jersey and Pennsylvania
Jackson, Kenner and Monroe were located Thursday in Passaic County with assistance from the Passaic Police Department and West Orange Police Department, prosecutors said. All three were arrested without incident and remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending further court proceedings.
Detectives and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team subsequently executed a court-authorized search warrant at Jackson’s Passaic residence. Prosecutors said investigators found an unserialized firearm loaded with a high-capacity magazine inside a backpack believed to belong to Jackson.
Jackson was additionally charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree possession of an unserialized firearm.
Cuttino and Watson were located Thursday in Pennsylvania with assistance from police in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Pennsylvania authorities took both men into custody without incident.
Watson was lodged in the Luzerne County Jail, while Cuttino was taken to the Lackawanna County Prison. Both remained detained pending extradition to Bergen County to face the charges.
“This multi-jurisdictional arrest operation” involved coordination among several New Jersey and Pennsylvania law enforcement agencies, according to the prosecutor’s office, which thanked the participating departments for their assistance.
The charges are accusations, and all five defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, Musella said.
Who was charged in the South Hackensack armed robbery case?
Ajahmir S. Cuttino, Rhyonne S. Jackson, Ajahwan T. Kenner, Antrell Monroe and Jahad K. Watson were charged in connection with the alleged robbery and assault.
What charges do the five men face?
Each faces first-degree armed robbery along with weapons and aggravated assault charges. Jackson also faces additional charges stemming from an unserialized firearm allegedly recovered after his arrest.
What happened to the South Hackensack robbery victim?
Prosecutors said the victim was struck in the head with a metal object believed to be a handgun. He suffered a non-life-threatening wound and was treated and released from the hospital.
Sources: Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office press release dated Aug. 28, 2026.
