Asbury Park Man Faces Life In Prison For 2014 Armed Robbery

ASBURY PARK, NJ - A Monmouth County jury has returned a guilty verdict against an Asbury Park man standing trial for a 2014 armed robbery committed in the city, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.

Mario Figueroa, 40, of Asbury Park, was found guilty Today of first-degree armed robbery, fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree witness retaliation and two counts of first-degree witness tampering , those last in connection with crimes committed against witnesses to the armed robbery after the incident, Gramiccioni said in a release. Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr., who presided over the two-week trial, was challenged by Figueroa's several disruptive outbursts. Falcetano was forced to order Figueroa removed from the courtroom by Monmouth County sheriff’s officers.

Falcetano is expected tomorrow to inform Figueroa of the jury’s verdict in the case and to set a sentencing date in the matter.

Because of his prior criminal record, Figueroa is extended-term eligible and faces a potential New Jersey prison sentence of life. Any sentence will require Figueroa to serve 85 percent of the term before he would be eligible for parole, under the terms of the No Early Release Act.

Figueroa also is facing an additional term between 10 years and 20 years for the witness tampering charges, which must be served consecutively to the armed robbery and weapons offenses, officials said.

The charges stem from an Oct. 21, 2014 incident when Figueroa approached his victim on the corner of Main Street and Sewall Avenue. In an effort to steal the victim’s wallet, Figueroa armed himself with a box cutter, held it to the victim’s neck, forcing him to the ground and making off with the victim's wallet, authorities said.

Members of the Asbury Park Police Department Street Crimes Unit, patrolling in the area at the time of the incident, saw Figueroa running away from the scene. After conducting an initial investigation, Figueroa was arrested and charged for the crimes but while behind bars awaiting trial, Figueroa ran into a witness to the robbery inside the Monmouth County Correctional Institution and assaulted him for giving a statement to the Asbury Park police, leaving that witness with permanent vision damage, authorities said.

Figueroa then went after a second witness to the robbery, sending dozens of threatening letters to the witness in an effort to interfere with the witness’s testimony and cooperation in the investigation, authorities said.

This case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Martha Nye. Figueroa is represented by John Sheehy, of Toms River.

Figueroa faces life in prison. Image via Shutterstock.