Man Tried To Rob Essex County Sheriff's Officer and Boyfriend In Park

An Essex County jury convicted Farad Andrews, 24, of Newark, of first degree attempted robbery and weapons offenses on Friday following a two week trial.

According to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, on May 6, 2014, the victim - a female sheriff’s officer and her boyfriend - were in Westside Park in Newark when two men approached the woman and proceeded to attempt to rob her at gunpoint.

Prosecutors said that over the course of the robbery, the second man, who was with Andrews, recognized the female sheriff’s officer and told Andrews to stop. The two fled the scene. Andrews was apprehended a short time later on Avon and Jeliff Street in Newark.

The other man was never caught, prosecutors stated.

On Friday, an Essex County jury convicted Andrews of first degree attempted robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to prosecutors, Andrew, who has two prior felony convictions for eluding and receiving stolen property, is scheduled to be sentenced on June 13. He faces up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison when he is sentenced.

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