Three Sentenced in Connection with October 2018 Home Invasion Robbery in Victory Gardens

Published on September 07, 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 males in connection with a home invasion robbery that occurred on the evening of October 21, 2018, in Victory Gardens, New Jersey.

On September 6, 2019, Victor Hernandez, age 20, with a last known address in Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, and Marlon Martinez, age 24, also with a last known address in Rockaway Borough, New Jersey, were both sentenced by the Hon. Robert M. Hanna, J.S.C. to three (3) years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five (85) percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. On February 11, 2019, both Hernandez and Martinez had entered separate guilty pleas to one (1) count of second degree Conspiracy to Commit Robbery before the Hon. Catherine I. Enright, J.A.D.

Carlos Rodriguez, age 22, with a last known address in Victory Gardens, New Jersey, was previously sentenced by Judge Enright on March 29, 2019, to five (5) years in New Jersey State Prison subject to the eighty-five (85) percent parole ineligibility requirements of the No Early Release Act. On February 27, 2019, Rodriguez entered a guilty plea to one (1) count of first degree Robbery before Judge Enright.

The charges arise from a home invasion robbery that occurred in Victory Gardens, New Jersey on October 21, 2018. The investigation revealed that 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 that 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 concerning this press release should be directed to pressinquiry@co.morris.nj.us.