BERKELEY – A Brick Township woman was arrested and charged after robbing a local convenience store Tuesday morning, officials said.
Jessica Napolitano, 37, of Brick, was charged with Robbery, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Burglary, and Criminal Mischief, all in connection with events that occurred in Berkeley Township in the early morning hours of October 15.
Around 4:20 a.m., officers responded to The Corner Store on Ocean Gate Drive for a report of a robbery. A woman had entered the store, brandished a knife at the cashier, and demanded money and cigarettes. Officials said the store staff turned over cash and cigarettes and then the suspect fled the scene.
Authorities discovered that prior to the incident, a woman had thrown a rock through the front window of the Dollar General Store on Atlantic City Boulevard and entered the store in an attempt to gain access to cigarettes. She was unsuccessful and proceeded to head to The Corner Store.
The woman was later identified as Napolitano and was located in Lakewood where she was taken into custody without incident. Napolitano was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Berkeley Township Chief of Police Kevin Santucci acknowledged the Berkeley Township Police Department and Lakewood Township Police Department for their diligent efforts in connection with this investigation – leading to Napolitano’s swift apprehension.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
