3 Men, 2 Teens Robbed Customers Eating At Bergen County Restaurant: Prosecutor

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Three men and two teens were involved in an armed robbery of patrons who were dining at an Englewood restaurant in August, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Four of the suspects have been captured and one is still at large, the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday.

Bergen County prosecutors said that just after midnight on Saturday night, Aug. 3, a "group of assailants" with guns and ski masks robbed several patrons at a restaurant on Engle Street.

They first tried to steal car keys from the valet area, but when that didn't work, they robbed the victims of jewelry and other items, prosecutors said.

"Prior to robbing and assaulting the victims, the masked assailants attempted to steal car keys from the valet area located near where the victims were dining together," prosecutors said. "After unsuccessfully stealing any car keys, the victims were robbed of jewelry and other personal items."

Detectives determined that the car used for the robbery, a 2024 BMW X7, had been stolen during a residential burglary in Monmouth County.

Investigators identified Newark residents Altamir L. Thornton, Yashir T. Phillips, Rahiem A. Maldonado, and two 17-year-olds "as the masked assailants who committed the armed robberies and assaults in Englewood," prosecutors said.

Thornton, Phillips, and a 17-year-old were arrested on Nov. 26 at three separate residences in Newark, prosecutors said. Thornton and Phillips were taken to jail and the 17-year-old was taken to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center.

Maldonado was arrested later in the day.

Thornton was charged with three counts of first-degree armed robbery, second-degree aggravated assault, and weapons charges, prosecutors said.

Phillips was charged with three counts of first-degree armed robbery, first-degree use of a 17-year-old to commit a criminal offense, and other charges.

Maldonado was charged with three counts of first-degree armed robbery, two counts of first-degree use of a 17-year-old to commit a criminal offense, and other charges.

The 17-year-old was charged with juvenile delinquency, including three counts of first-degree armed robbery, prosecutors said.

On Dec. 3, the second 17-year-old was charged with juvenile delinquency, including three counts of first-degree armed robbery and weapons charges, prosecutors said.

But that teen remained wanted as of Tuesday, prosecutors said.