Man Sentenced In Connection With July 2014 Armed Robbery At East Hanover Babies-R-Us

Published on March 22, 2017

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Jamal C. Nurse of East Orange, New Jersey was sentenced today to twelve (12) years in New Jersey State Prison by the Honorable Paul W. Armstrong, J.S.C., Retired and Temporarily Assigned on Recall.

The defendant had previously been found guilty after a jury trial of two counts of first degree Robbery, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:15-1a(2), one count of second degree Burglary, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:18-2a(1)b(2), one count of second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-4a, one count of second degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, in violation of N.J.S. 2C:39-5b, and two counts of disorderly persons False Imprisonment, in violation of 2C:13-3.

On July 19, 2014, the defendant executed an armed robbery at Babies-R-Us, located at 98 Route 10 in East Hanover, New Jersey. The defendant, dressed in black and wearing a facemask, approached two employees as they walked to their cars after closing up the store for the evening. He pointed a black handgun at the victims and ordered them to re-open the store and bring him into the safe room. Once in the safe room, the defendant continued to point the handgun at the victims as they opened the safe and loaded approximately $5,000 into a black duffel bag that he had brought with him, before fleeing the scene.

The defendant was identified following a nearly four month investigation led by Sergeant Frank Franco from the East Hanover Police Department, involving the review of area surveillance video and text message and cell phone records.

Assistant Prosecutor Tara Vyas and Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Napurano represented the State in these proceedings.

Prosecutor Knapp would like to thank the East Hanover Police Department, specifically Sergeant Frank Franco, the Hanover Police Department, and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Section and Emergency Services Unit for their efforts in this matter.

Inquiries concerning this press release should be directed to Public Information Officer Paul Merkler, at pmerkler@co.morris.nj.us or 973-285-6215.