Berkeley Man Pointed Gun At Others, Stole Money: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — A Berkeley man admitted to threatening people with a gun on two separate occasions, stealing money from one of them, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Shakim Varick, 23, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in connection with a May 30, 2024 incident and to robbery in connection to an unrelated Jan. 13, 2025 incident, both in Berkeley, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

In the first incident, Berkeley police went to the basketball courts on Third Avenue in Manitou Park for the report of aggravated assault with a handgun, Billhimer said.

The victim had been at the basketball courts when another person, later identified as Varick, approached him and pointed a firearm at him, Billhimer said. He was taken into custody at his South Toms River home on June 17, 2024, and served with the charge via summons pending upcoming appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.

Then on Jan. 13, 2025, Berkeley police went to the Eastern Soccer Complex for the report of an armed robbery, Billhimer said.

In that incident, the victim had arranged to meet with someone - later identified as Varick - for a business transaction, Billhimer said. When Varick arrived, he brandished a handgun, demanded more money and threatened the victim with serious bodily harm if he failed to comply, Billhimer said. The victim fled and called police.

Varick was taken into custody that same day and has remained at Ocean County Jail since, Billhimer said.

At his sentencing on April 17, 2026, Varick faces a sentence of 18 months in New Jersey State Prison for the aggravated assault charge and 10 years for the robbery charge, to run concurrently.