5 facing trial in Vineland liquor store robbery
BRIDGETON – Five men are facing trial on first-degree armed robbery charges in a liquor store robbery early this year in Vineland that sent a store clerk to the hospital with head injuries from a beating.
A Cumberland County grand jury last week indicted Desmond L. Hill, 27, of Pamphylia Avenue in Bridgeton; Jana S. Denby, 30, of Hannon Road in Upper Deerfield and a South Lincoln Avenue address in Vineland; Okmeir D. Green, 31, of Spruce Street in Bridgeton; Paul G. Stewart Jr., 31, with addresses on Pamphylia Avenue and Taylor Street in Bridgeton; and Walter M. Williams Jr., 26, of Tip’s Trailer Park, East Commerce Street, Fairfield.
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The robbery occurred the night of Jan. 14 at Charlie’s Liquor Store at Hendee Road and Gheysens Avenue in North Vineland. According to the indictment, a Smith & Wesson 12-gauge shotgun and a .38-caliber Beretta semiautomatic pistol were used in the crime.
Two defendants were arrested the same night after fleeing a New Jersey State Police traffic stop of their vehicle on Landis Avenue in Upper Deerfield. A third man alleged to be in the vehicle was picked up in February, another in March, and the last was in custody in June, according to court records.
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Denby and Green were arrested the night of the robbery. Vineland K-9 units took part in a search in Upper Deerfield with state troopers who caught them.
Besides armed robbery, the grand jury charged all five with conspiracy to commit armed robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a defaced firearm, and obstructing administration of the law by fleeing arrest.
In addition, Williams alone was charged with possessing a firearm as a former state inmate.
Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com