Handgun-Toting Man Robs Woman In NJ Preschool Parking Lot, Police Say

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — South Brunswick Police are seeking the public’s assistance to help find a man who they said pulled out a handgun and stole a woman’s cell phone in the parking lot of a Kendall Park preschool.

At 9:02 a.m. on Monday, police received a 911 call reporting that a woman had been robbed in the parking lot of The Sapling School, located at 3080 Route 27, Kendall Park.

While she was dropping off her child, police said the suspect pulled out a handgun and demanded her cell phone. He then stole the phone and ran through the parking lot.

Police identified the suspect as Nathan Edwards Simpson, 45, and said he and the woman know each other.

Following this incident, police established a perimeter and briefly placed nearby schools on a shelter-in-place. Detectives tracked Simpson to the Nassau Square development off Route 27, but didn’t find him.

Simpson is described as a white male who’s 6’02” and weighs 200 lbs. He has green eyes, black hair, and was last seen wearing a black shirt and blue pants. Police said Simpson also goes by the name “Bryan Spinelli.”

Simpson has been charged with first-degree armed robbery, second-degree endangering the welfare of a juvenile, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, third-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third-degree criminal restraint, third-degree terroristic threats, and third-degree theft, police said.

Anyone with information on this case should contact Detective Sergeant Tim Hoover or Detective Jamal Benbow at 732-329-4646.

Middlesex County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward for information on this case. Provide it anonymously and receive money for a tip that leads to an arrest and indictment.

You can call 1-800-939-9600 or click here to provide the tip.