Bloomfield Liquor Store Robbed At Gunpoint, Cops Make Arrest: PD

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Bloomfield police arrested an East Orange man accused of robbing a liquor store at gunpoint earlier this week, authorities announced Friday.

According to the Bloomfield Police Department, officers responded to Discount Liquor on First Avenue on Wednesday at 11:49 a.m. after receiving a report about an armed robbery.

The employee on duty told officers that a man entered the store and demanded money and cigarettes. He then brandished a silver revolver and pointed the gun at her, police said.

The store attendant gave the man a “large amount of currency” from the cash register. He then fled the scene, police said.

After arriving on the scene, Bloomfield patrol officers broadcast a description of the man to other BPD units and their peers in surrounding towns. However, after a check of the area, the officers were unable to find the alleged robber, authorities said.

After reviewing surveillance footage from “several locations” near the scene, Bloomfield detectives determined that the man got into a silver, Ford Crown Victoria taxi cab after the robbery. The suspect was eventually identified as Alfonzo Jenkins, 50, of East Orange.

Police arrested Jenkins on Thursday, authorities said.

Authorities charged Jenkins with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Director of Public Safety Samuel DeMaio commended the BPD detective bureau and the East Orange Police Department for their roles in the investigation and arrest.

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