Morris Prosecutor: Sentencing For Victory Gardens Home Invasion

Published on September 09, 2019

Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp, New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, and Rockaway Borough Police Chief Conrad Pepperman announce the sentencing of three Morris County men in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the evening of Oct. 21, 2018, in Victory Gardens.(, 0B)

Victor Hernandez, 20, and Marlon Martinez, 24, both of Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, were sentenced on Friday by Superior Court Judge Robert Hanna three years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the 85 percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. On Feb. 11, Hernandez and Martinez had entered separate guilty pleas to one count each of second degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

Carlos Rodriguez, 22, of Victory Gardens, previously was sentenced by Judge Enright in March to five years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the 85 percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. Rodriguez had entered a guilty plea to one count of first degree Robbery before Judge Enright.

The charges arose from a home invasion robbery that occurred in Victory Gardens. The investigation revealed the defendants entered a residence through a closed, but unlocked, front door during the evening hours.The residence was occupied by the leaseholder and two guests.

During their guilty pleas, Hernandez and Martinez both acknowledged they were armed with weapons, specifically metal pipes, and that they had agreed with Rodriguez and one another to enter the residence to commit theft.

During his guilty plea, Rodriguez acknowledged that he entered the residence with the two other males, both of whom were armed with metal pipes. Rodriguez further acknowledged that he stole a safe and metal chains from the residence while the other males used the metal pipes to threaten the victims.

Prosecutor Knapp acknowledges Assistant Prosecutor Tara Wang, who represented the State in these cases, members of the New Jersey State Police, the Rockaway Borough Police Department, and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, who contributed to the successful prosecution of this matter.

Inquiries should be directed to pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.