Brick Man, 18, Robbed 7-Eleven At Gunpoint: Police

BRICK, NJ -- A Brick Township man who police say robbed a local convenience store at gunpoint early Sunday morning is being held on charges of armed robbery, police said Monday.

Nicholas DeStefano, 18, of Brick, is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $150,000 bail, no 10 percent, on charges of armed robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, Brick Sgt. Neal Pedersen said.

Police were called to the 7-Eleven at 667 Mantoloking Road shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday for a report of an armed robbery, Pedersen said. Sgt. Peter Thomas and Patrolman Jeffrey Melia were told the suspect displayed a black handgun and demanded the money from the register. The store cashier complied and handed over approximately $120 in cash and the suspect then fled the store toward McKay Drive, Thomas and Melia were told.

Brick police searched for the suspect, described as a white male, 20-25 years old with dark hair. He was said to be more than 6 feet tall, 200-225 pounds and wearing a grey hooded sweatshirt, Pedersen said. Police, including a K-9 unit, searched but were unable to locate the man, he said.

Surveillance video was obtained from the 7-Eleven and officers viewing the video, including Detective Greg Mullarkey and Detective Tara Schinder, who responded to assist in the investigation, recognized the man as Destefano, Pedersen said.

Officers were able to locate him and arrest him in the midafternoon Sunday without incident, Pedersen said. Destefano had in his possession the black handgun -- a 9mm Sig Sauer -- used in the robbery along with clothing that matched the description given by the cashier, he said.

DeStefano also had a small quantity of heroin and drug paraphernalia, Pedersen said, and he is additionally charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The investigation is ongoing to determine how Destefano obtained the handgun, Pedersen said.

(Nicholas DeStefano; photo via the Ocean County Corrections Department)