Two Teens Charged with Armed Robbery

A Forked River man and a Barnegat juvenile were arrested and charged with first-degree robbery with the use of a weapon, police said.

Vincente Peek, 19, of Forked River and a 16-year-old Barnegat resident allegedly approached two victims with a knife demanding them to empty their pockets on Saturday, Feb. 4.

The victims, who are 18 and 16 years old, reported the incident just before midnight by cell phone while walking in the Barnegat Pines portion of Lacey Township.

Peek and the juvenile allegedly approached the two victims and initiated conversation. After displaying a knife and demanding the victims to hand over items, they fled with just a gift card.

Upon the completion of an investigation, Peek and the juvenile were identified and arrested on Feb. 28.

Peek was charged with first-degree robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of and weapon for an unlawful purpose. His bail was set at $150,000 and he was transferred to Ocean County Jail.

The 16-year-old was charged with the same offenses and sent to the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Facility. The juvenile also had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation.