Police: Essex County Teen Masterminded the Armed Robbery of His Girlfriend

An Essex County teen is accused of masterminding the armed robbery of his girlfriend, allegedly arranging for two men to hold her up with a gun and knife while the two were alone in a Bloomfield apartment.

Bloomfield police stated that on April 27, an 18-year-old female from East Orange reported that she and her boyfriend - Ludrick Freeman, 19, of East Orange – were robbed at gun and knifepoint by two armed men.

The female told police that the two men broke into the apartment and locked her boyfriend in a bathroom, then took her watch and cell phone. When the suspects left, the victim ran from the apartment and called 911.

Following an investigation into the incident, police used surveillance videos to identify and arrest the two robbery suspects, Kiwan Cirino, 19, of East Orange, and an unidentified, 15-year-old juvenile.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested Freeman and a fourth suspect, Dondre Chapman, 19, of East Orange, who allegedly assisted with the sale of the stolen cell phone.

In a release, police charged that Freeman was the “mastermind” behind the robbery, and provided Cirino and the juvenile with the information and weapons they needed to pull off the crime.

Freeman was charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and unlawful possession of a weapon. His bail was set at $250,000.

Cirino and the juvenile were charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. Cirino was released on his own recognizance with a court date pending. The juvenile was turned over to the custody of the Essex County Youth House.

Chapman was charged with receiving stolen property.