Four men charged in edgewater armed robbery after year-long investigation

Four men charged in Edgewater armed robbery after year-long investigation

EDGEWATER, N.J. — Four men have been charged in connection with a violent armed robbery that occurred in Edgewater in June 2024, following a year-long multi-agency investigation, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced Friday.

Julio A. Perez, 24, of North Bergen; Justin L. Acosta, 21, of Charles Town, West Virginia; and Kenny M. Vega, 23, of West New York were all arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree armed robbery, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a weapon, and terroristic threats. A fourth suspect, 21-year-old Jaden A. Vazquez of Guttenberg, remains a fugitive, with an active warrant issued for his arrest.

The robbery took place on June 13, 2024, around 7:50 p.m., when two masked men armed with handguns approached five victims — including two juveniles — in a commercial parking lot on River Road. The suspects demanded vehicle keys, threatened to shoot the victims, and attempted to break a window using a handgun before fleeing in a getaway vehicle.

Investigators eventually identified Acosta and Perez as two of the suspects. Acosta was arrested February 12 in Guttenberg, where officers recovered ammunition and high-capacity magazines from his vehicle. Perez was located days later and surrendered on February 18.

Vega was arrested without incident on July 28 in West New York. Vazquez remains at large, and authorities are urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

All arrested suspects remain in custody at Bergen County Jail pending court proceedings.

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