3 Arrested in Somerset County Gas Station Robbery Spree

Bridgewater, NJ -- Three men were arrested for robbing gas stations at knife-point in Bridgewater, Somerville and North Plainfield, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced Monday.

Sahil Ram, age 19, of Paterson Plank Road, in Secaucus, Jaylen M. Folk, age 19, and Evan Moore, age 21, both of Hamilton Street, in Somerville were arrested for the robberies in January, Robertson said.

The robbery spree occurred on January 30, at approximately 7:20 p.m., when two masked men robbed the BP Gas Station located at 1240 U.S. Highway 22 East, in Bridgewater Township.

The attendant reported one man demanded money from him while the other held a knife to his neck. One male was reportedly wearing distinctive red sneakers.

The men took about $70, dropped the knife and fled on foot.

Later that night, at 8:36 p.m., two masked men robbed the Shell Gas Station located at 176 West End Avenuein Somerville, Robertson said.

The men were wearing similar clothing as the robbery in Bridgewater, including the red sneakers.

During the robbery, the suspects brandished a knife and punched the attendant, according to reported. They took a cash register drawer containing around $640 and 15 packs of cigarettes.

Again, before fleeing, one man dropped a 12-inch knife on the floor.

One hour later, two masked men reportedly went to the BP Gas Station located at 1292 U. S. Highway Route 22 East in North Plainfield.

The attendant, however, was suspicious and called North Plainfield Police.

Officers responded immediately and were able to arrest Jaylen Folk, who was wearing red sneakers at the time.

Detectives from the Somerville, Bridgewater Township and North Plainfield Police Departments along with detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics Unit responded to conduct the investigation.

Through the investigation, Evan Moore and Sahil Ram were able to be identified.

Moore was arrested on Friday, March 18, at around 11:30 a.m. and charged with Robbery, second degree and Attempted Robbery, second degree. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or bond by Somerset County Superior Court Judge Qasim.

Folk was taken in on Sunday, March 20 at 1:45 p.m. and charged with two counts of Robbery, first degree and Attempted Robbery, second Degree. Bail was set at $100,000 cash or bond by Somerset County Superior Court Judge Goodzeit.

This morning, Monday, March 21 at 9:15 a.m., with the assistance of the Secaucus Police Department, detectives arrested Ram at his residence.

Ram was charged with two counts of Robbery, first degree and one count of Attempted Robbery, second degree.

All three defendants were lodged in the Somerset County Jail.

Anyone with information is asked to to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All calls will be kept confidential.

(Photos provided: From left - Jaylen M. Folk of Somerville, Sahil Ram of Secaucus and Evan Moore of Somerville.)