Bloomfield Cops Arrest Men Suspected Of Robbing Teen

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield police have arrested three men suspected of robbing a teen earlier this month on Bloomfield Avenue, authorities say.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, the robbery took place around 11 p.m. on July 19 near Broad and Liberty streets. A 17-year-old male victim told officers that three men – one who he met for the first time that evening – approached him and they got into a disagreement.

At that time, one of the men displayed a machete while another went through his pockets and took his phone and wallet, the victim told officers.

The men then got into a burgundy vehicle and fled the scene. The teen didn’t suffer injury during the encounter, police said.

Bloomfield detectives identified three suspects after reviewing video footage taken in the area of the robbery. On July 21, officers located and arrested the three suspects, all Bloomfield residents: William Tirado, 18, Raquan Kirkland, 19, and Tyler Walters, 20. Police found a machete allegedly used in the robbery in Tirado’s backpack, authorities said.

Police charged Tirado with First-Degree Robbery, Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Possession of a Weapon, and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose.

Police charged Walters with First-Degree Robbery and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.

Police arrested Kirkland on an outstanding warrant issued by the Essex County Sheriff’s Office.

All three suspects were detained at the Essex County Correctional Facility awaiting a bail hearing.

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