Five Arrested for Armed Robbery, Nutley Police Say

Three teens and two adults were arrested in connection with an early Wednesday morning armed robbery, Nutley police said.

Nutley police said two Belleville residents were robbed at gunpoint on Passaic Avenue in Nutley near the intersection of Florence Street on Wednesday morning at about 1:45 am.

Three males reportedly got out of a blue 2006 Chevrolet Equinox and ran towards the pair. One of the three pointed a silver revolver and demanded the Belleville residents turn over their possessions, police said.

Police said the robbers got back in the vehicle and drove north on Passaic Avenue, then east on Centre Street. Nutley officers arrived shortly after the robbery to investigate and alerted nearby jurisdictions about the fleeing thieves. Police say Belleville Police officers quickly stopped the Equinox near Franklin Avenue and Liberty Avenues in Belleville.

Police said the three juvenile suspects were identified and taken into custody. A silver .22 caliber Ruger revolver was reportedly found in the vehicle. Two adult suspects who waited in the vehicle during the Robbery were also charged, Shane Anderson, 19, of Irvington and Michael Williams, 22, of Irvington.

Anderson and Williams were charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, promoting a JV in a crime, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and a defaced firearm. Bail was set at $250,000 and they were taken to Essex county jail.

The three juveniles, all 17 and from Irvington, were charged with Robbery, theft, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon and defaced firearm. They were taken to the Essex county youth detention center.

The victims were robbed of a purse, two galaxy android cell phones and $245 in cash along with house keys and car keys but were not harmed in the robbery.

Nutley Mayor Petracco and Chief Holland credit the quick response by Nutley officers and the alert Belleville officers with making this arrest.