After Robbing Secaucus Gas Station In 2022, Crime Spree Ends For Duo

SECAUCUS, NJ — Two Hudson County men admitted they committed a string of armed robberies of New Jersey gas stations in 2022, said U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger, who announced the sentencing of both men Tuesday in this press release.

But it was only after they robbed the BP gas station in the center of Secaucus — at gunpoint — on Feb. 4, 2022 that law enforcement apprehended the two men, and their crime spree ended.

The two men are Wendell Bradley Jr., 27, of Bayonne, and Joseph Brown, 26, of Jersey City, both of whom previously pleaded guilty.

Federal prosecutors say that from Jan. 3 - Feb. 4 of 2022, Bradley — either alone or with Brown — would pull up to the pump and while the tank was being filled, pull a gun on the attendant and demand money. After getting the cash, they would then drive off.

At 12:34 p.m. on Feb. 4, 2022, the duo robbed the BP gas station in the center of Secaucus. The attendant called 911 and said two men were both holding guns, which they pointed at him and demanded cash, which he gave them. (After the robbery, Patch asked the attendant if he would like to be interviewed for a news story on this, and he declined, saying it was "extremely traumatizing.")

The two men fled in a gray Honda Accord onto Rt. 3 west. Secaucus Police officers pursued the car and broadcast a description of the suspects and their getaway car to surrounding towns. The Honda Accord's license plate was reported to be stolen out of Jersey City, said Secaucus Police at the time.

Within minutes, the Clifton Police Department observed the suspect vehicle on Rt. 21 and pursued the car into Newark, where it crashed and two suspects fled on foot.

After both men ran from the crashed Honda Accord, Bradley then pulled his gun on an off-duty Essex County Sheriff’s officer, and demanded the officer give Bradley his car. The officer disarmed Bradley and detained him.

Federal prosecutors said they would not be releasing how exactly the off-duty officer disarmed Bradley and detained him.

At the time of his arrest Bradley was in possession of a Ruger LCR .38 special revolver. Proceeds stolen from the BP gas station attendant were found in the crashed Honda Accord, said Secaucus Police in 2022.

Brown, the second suspect, ran off but he was apprehended a few weeks later.

The two men were sentenced this week: Bradley was sentenced to 160 months in prison and Brown to 92 months in prison. Bradley previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, one count of Hobbs Act robbery, one count of attempted carjacking, and one count of brandishing a gun in a violent crime. Brown previously pleaded guilty to one count of attempted Hobbs Act robbery and one count of Hobbs Act robbery.

Initial Patch report: Secaucus Gas Station Robbed At Gunpoint (Feb. 7, 2022)

2nd Man Now Apprehended In Secaucus Gunpoint Gas Station Robbery (March 11, 2022)