Belleville Man Found Guilty, Robbed Gas Station In Newark

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Essex County jury convicted a Belleville man of taking part in a robbery in Newark last year, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Jose Rivera, 58, of Belleville was convicted by an Essex County jury of second-degree robbery following a trial, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Prosecutors released the following statement about the robbery:

“On Sept. 18, 2021, Rivera entered a gas station on Pennsylvania Avenue in Newark with another individual. Rivera used force to demand the gas station attendant hand over all the money he had on him. The gas station attendant, who was alone, did not resist. He gave Rivera $850 in cash. Rivera took the money and fled scene. The second suspect was never identified.”

The jury deliberated for two hours before returning a guilty verdict, prosecutors said.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 9.

“Second degree robbery ordinarily carries a five-to-ten-year sentence,” prosecutors said. “In this case, the state will be seeking an extended sentence because the defendant has 17 prior convictions. If granted, he could face up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.”

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