Caldwell Man Accused Of West Caldwell Robbery: Police

WEST CALDWELL, NJ — West Caldwell police have arrested a Caldwell man who allegedly robbed a local convenience store earlier this month, authorities announced Monday.

According to the West Caldwell Police Department, the robbery took place around 10 p.m. on Feb. 13 at the 7-Eleven store on Bloomfield Avenue.

Police said the suspect entered the store armed with a knife. He demanded a scratch-off lottery ticket, then fled the store after getting into a verbal argument with the staff.

No injuries were reported, police said.

After conducting an investigation – which included reviewing surveillance video footage and automated license plate reader data – West Caldwell police identified Carlos Alberto Duarte, 64, of Caldwell, as a suspect in the robbery.

Here’s what happened next, authorities said:

“On February 23, officers from the Caldwell and West Caldwell Police Departments executed a search warrant at Duarte’s residence, where they made an arrest in connection with the armed robbery. During the search, officers located the clothing worn during the robbery, an illegally possessed revolver, and a spring-loaded knife that positively matched the one used in the armed robbery.”

Duarte was charged with robbery, unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful possession of weapons for unlawful purposes, and terroristic threats. He was transported to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, where he will be held until a further determination is made at a pre-trial detention hearing, authorities said.

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