5 facing trial in Vineland liquor store robbery

Joseph P. Smith, @jpsmith_dj

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.

Desmond L. Hill
Walter M. Williams Jr. i

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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.

Paul G. Stewart

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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.

Okmeir D. Green

In addition, Williams alone was charged with possessing a firearm as a former state inmate.

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com

Jana S. Denby