Man Sentenced For Knifepoint Pharmacy Robbery In Berkeley: Prosecutor

BERKELEY, NJ — A Little Egg Harbor man will spend years in New Jersey State Prison after robbing a Berkeley Township Rite Aid at knifepoint.

Christopher Hurley, 27, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in connection with the Feb. 5, 2022 incident in Berkeley, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said. This sentence will be subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act, meaning that Hurley will be required to serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence before he may be considered for parole eligibility.

Police responded to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 9 that day for reports of an armed robbery, Billhimer said.

A man had entered the store, brandished a knife at a cashier and demanded money, Billhimer said. Staff surrendered the cash drawer to the man, who then fled, Billhimer said.

Police identified that man as Hurley after an extensive investigation, who at that time was already sitting in Ocean County Jail on an unrelated charge out of Toms River, Billhimer said. He was served with the additional complaint on Feb. 25, 2022 at the Ocean County Jail.