Union County Man Arrested for Armed Robbery, Drug Possession

A 22-year-old Union County man has been arrested for the armed robbery of a Franklin Township convenience store last month.

August 25

Police say Junior Perez drove unknown suspects to the convenience store on Hamilton Street for the purpose of committing an armed robbery. A video surveillance camera captured a lightly colored Nissan Altima driving in the area at the time of the robbery.

The vehicle distinctly had a black bumper and a missing hubcap on the rear driver’s side.

“One of his passengers, a black male, entered the store brandishing a gun and demanded money from the store clerk, according to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. “An altercation ensued between the suspect and store employees.”

The suspect fled the store without getting any money from the clerk. Perez acted as a lookout, he was told to whistle if he saw police.

August 31

It was just after 4 p.m. When a Franklin Patrol Officer stopped Perez in a vehicle matching the description of the one involved in the robbery.

According to the prosecutor’s office, when Perez exited the vehicle, a small bag containing cocaine fell to the ground. He was placed under arrest without incident. Detectives obtained a search warrant for Perez’s vehicle which resulted in the seizure of a black colored BB gun and under 25 grams of marijuana.

Perez was lodged in the Somerset County Jail with bail at $100,000 cash or bond.

He is charged with:

• Armed Robbery, 1st Degree
• Conspiracy, 2nd Degree
• Possession of Cocaine, 3rd Degree
• Possession of Marijuana (under 25 grams) a Disorderly Persons Offense