Three Charged in Robberies of Local Gas Stations

The East Brunswick and Old Bridge Police departments have made three arrests following a joint investigation into a string of armed robberies and one burglary of gas stations that occurred in both municipalities between July 30 and Aug. 7.

According to police, Nicholas Demo, 19, of Morganville, Joseph Dolce, 21 of Manalapan, and a 16-year-old male accomplice from Manahawkin were charged after an investigation by Detectives Robert Zielinski and Daniel Unkel of the East Brunswick Police Department and Detectives Joseph Gougeon, Michael Blahota and Thomas Montagna of the Old Bridge Police Department.

Police said the robberies included the and Arthur Street, which was hit twice, once on June 30 and again on Aug. 7, and the Sunoco Station on Route 18 on Aug. 7.

Demo and Dolce and the juvenile accomplice were charged with four counts of robbery, one count of burglary, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Bail was set by judge Paul Endler at $130,000 for Demo and $80,000 for Dolce. Demo and Dolce were lodged in the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center. The juvenile was lodged in the Middlesex County Juvenile Detention Facility.

Two of the robberies and one burglary occurred in East Brunswick and two robberies occurred in Old Bridge. Both Marlboro and Edison Police assisted in the investigation. There are more investigations pending in other jurisdictions.