MONMOUTH COUNTY – Two men have been arrested for armed robbery and breaking into nearly 100 vehicles.
Police identified the suspects as Mario Mondragon, 21, of Long Branch and Genaro Guzman, also 21, of Shrewsbury Township, who are accused of robbing vehicles between April and June of this year.
On May 16 in Shrewsbury Township, Mondragon and Guzman were breaking into a vehicle when they were confronted by the homeowners. The encounter led to the suspects threatening the residents with a handgun and taser before fleeing, according to police.
Then on June 6 in Eatontown Borough, police said the two men sprayed a deliveryman with pepper spray and physically assaulted him during a robbery.
After an investigation, police were able to connect Mondragon and Guzman to about 100 vehicle burglaries in Monmouth County.
On October 8, detectives from the Troop “C” Criminal Investigation Office, State Police Fugitive Unit, K9 Unit, and members of the U.S. Marshals Service arrested Mondragon and Guzman.
They were both charged with armed robbery, multiple weapons charges, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, burglary, and theft, according to state police.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
They are both lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a bail detention hearing.
