Crime & Safety

Belleville Man Fends Off Armed Robber Outside His Home, Police Say

A masked man with a gun tried to rob a North Jersey resident as he returned home at night – then a struggle broke out, authorities said.

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — A police investigation continues into an armed robbery that took place outside a home in Belleville last weekend, authorities say.

According to the Belleville Police Department, the robbery happened Saturday at 3:27 a.m. on the 100-block of Cedar Hill Avenue.

As the resident returned home, a man armed with a black handgun approached him, pointed the gun at him and demanded his jewelry. The victim fought back and a brief struggle ensued. The suspect eventually fled in a black sedan without any stealing anything from the victim, police said.

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The resident wasn’t injured, authorities said.

Police said the suspect was described as a thin male wearing dark clothes and a face mask. He allegedly spoke Spanish during the robbery.

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An investigation into the robbery is still active, police said Tuesday. Anyone with information can contact the Belleville Police Department at 973-450-3333.

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