LONG BRANCH- The Long Branch Police Department has arrested a group of city residents in connection with a pair of June 21 robberies.
On June 21, 2016, at approximately 6:25 am, Long Branch police were alerted to two separate early morning robberies that occurred in the area of Second Avenue and Garfield Avenue. The suspects were arrested and the victim’s personal belongings were returned within a short time.
An off-duty Monmouth County 9-1-1 dispatcher was flagged down by an individual reporting the first robbery.
The male subject, a 21-year-old resident of Long Branch reported that three male subjects exited a silver vehicle driven by a female. The three males approached him, with one male wearing a bandanna over his face. They demanded his property and relieved him of a cell phone and fled the area.
A second victim, a 14-year-old resident reported the same individuals approached him in the same manner but brandished a knife when he initially refused to turn over his belongings. The group left with the victim’s backpack, cell phone and wallet.
Officer James Beirne responded and provided a description of the vehicle and accused suspects. Officer Patrick Vaccaro recently observed a known subject fitting the description of one of the male subjects. Officer Brian Oliveira added that the subject was known to associate with a female who drives a silver vehicle.
Det/Cpl. Charles Simonelli knew the female and provided an address in Neptune. The information was put out to surrounding towns and an Asbury Park Crossing Guard reported seeing that vehicle occupied by subjects matching the accused. Finally, Neptune Police Department located the vehicle and the subjects were identified, arrested and transported back to the Long Branch Police Department.
Arrested were Darryl Harvin , a 19-year-old Neptune resident, on $250,000 bail, Kaseim Brown, an 18-year-old Long Branch resident, on $300,000 bail, and Angel Gomez, 21-year-old Long Branch resident, on $50,000 bail.
And a 13-year-old Long Branch resident was transported to Middlesex County Youth Detention Center. They were all charged with 1st degree robbery, 2nd degree robbery, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and conspiracy.
Also assisting in the investigation were Det./Cpl. Todd Coleman, Det. Joseph Kennedy, Det. Joseph Spitale and Det. David House.
