Newark Man Accused of Robbing Verona Restaurant at Gunpoint

A Newark man was arrested by FBI agents Friday and charged with the armed robbery of a Verona restaurant last month, U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman said.

James Darby, 26, and two other unidentified men entered the Subway restaurant on Bloomfield Avenue May 20, according to a copy of the criminal complaint.

Darby, who was armed with a gun, and one of the other robbers tied up an employee before all three made off with more than $400, the complaint said. 

Darby is also a suspect in a series of other armed robberies that occurred between December 2012 and last month in Essex and Union counties, including at gas stations, convenience stores and other restaurants, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. He has only been charged with the Verona robbery but the “investigation is ongoing,” said Rebekah Carmichael, a Department of Justice spokeswoman.

The complaint states video surveillance footage and cell phone records tie Darby to the crimes. Federal agents also discovered a dark-colored Yankees cap, a dark mask and other clothing similar to that worn during the robbery at Darby’s home and in his car, according to the complaint.

Darby has been charged with one count of robbery and a weapons offense. If convicted, he faces up to $500,000 in fines and up to 20 years in prison on the robbery charge, as well as seven years to life on the gun charge.

He was held without bail after appearing in Newark federal court.