MANCHESTER — A juvenile was taken into custody March 14 and charged with robbery and weapons offenses tied to an incident reported the night before in the Pine Lake Park section of Manchester, police said.
Officers were called at about 7:15 p.m. March 13 to the area of Hannibal Street and Seventh Avenue after a victim reported being confronted by a person armed with a knife who demanded money, according to authorities. Police said the victim escaped and ran to a nearby home for safety.
Manchester officers responded and launched an investigation. The department’s Investigations Bureau joined the effort, along with support from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, which provided drone and K-9 resources.
Police said follow-up investigative work on March 14 led authorities to identify a juvenile as the suspect in the case. The juvenile is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center.
Under New Jersey law, officials said they cannot release further information about juveniles charged in delinquency matters.
Authorities thanked the Manchester Police Department, its Investigations Bureau, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office for assisting with the investigation.
The charges are accusations, and the juvenile is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
