Investigators say two masked men armed with handguns robbed two pedestrians outside a Garfield business before fleeing in a waiting vehicle, leading to arrests following a months-long investigation.
Two Paterson men are facing multiple weapons and robbery charges after Bergen County investigators linked them to an armed street robbery that occurred in Garfield earlier this year.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrests of Khamere C. Chambers, 22, and David Reid, 26, following a joint investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigations Squad and the Garfield Police Department.
According to investigators, Garfield police responded at approximately 12:33 a.m. on March 1 to the area of Monroe Street and Palisade Avenue after receiving a report of an armed robbery.
Victims robbed at gunpoint
Prosecutors allege two victims were walking with acquaintances after leaving a nearby establishment when they were approached by two masked suspects armed with firearms.
Authorities said the suspects demanded the victims’ property, taking one victim’s car keys, wallet, and approximately $20 in cash before fleeing on foot.
Detectives later determined the suspects left the area in a white Infiniti Q60 after reviewing surveillance footage and conducting an extensive neighborhood canvass.
Search warrants led to arrests
Investigators identified Chambers and Reid as the suspects and executed court-authorized search warrants on April 16 at residences in Montvale and Paterson, as well as the Infiniti investigators believe was used during the robbery.
According to prosecutors, detectives recovered clothing matching the description of one of the suspects, along with a defaced handgun equipped with a large-capacity ammunition magazine.
Chambers was arrested during the operation and remains held in the Bergen County Jail pending trial.
Reid was arrested on June 17 with assistance from New Jersey State Parole and was also lodged in the Bergen County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Defendants face multiple felony charges
Both men are charged with two counts of first-degree armed robbery, unlawful possession of weapons, possession of weapons for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess firearms, and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.
Chambers also faces additional charges related to possession of a defaced firearm and possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine.
The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Key Points
• Two Paterson men were charged following a months-long investigation into a March armed robbery in Garfield.
• Prosecutors allege the masked suspects robbed two pedestrians at gunpoint before fleeing in a white Infiniti Q60.
• Investigators recovered a defaced handgun, a large-capacity magazine, and clothing allegedly linked to one of the suspects during the execution of search warrants.