2 Arrested For Thefts At Inman Grove Center: Edison Police

EDISON, NJ — Two men were arrested in connection with thefts at the Inman Grove Center over the past month, Edison police said.

Ricky Bryant, 54, from Edison, and Matthew S. Demko, 31, of Sabinal, Texas were arrested for allegedly robbing the Dollar Deals store and attacking the store clerk. Bryant is also accused of burglarizing Glow Beauty Bar and Ferraro's Pizzeria.

“I commend the multitude of officers and detectives that responded to and investigated these incidents. Through their thoroughness and tenacity, two felons are off of our streets," Edison Police Chief Thomas Bryan said.

According to police, Bryant broke into the beauty salon on Dec. 13 and the pizzeria on Jan. 12. In both cases, Bryant allegedly entered through the roof during the late night hours.

On Jan. 15, Bryant and Demko allegedly burglarized the Dollar Deals store together. Bryant had a gun and Demko used a chair to attack the cashier, police said (see a video of the robbery above). The two allegedly stole cash from the register before fleeing out of the front door.

Bryant was arrested the next night on Weston Forbes Court, police said. He was charged with robbery, burglary, theft, aggravated assault, multiple weapons charges, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Demko was found by police on the 19th after being caught shoplifting at the Route 1 Home Depot, police said. Demko fled across the highway and down Main Street before being arrested. He was charged with conspiracy and robbery for the Dollar Deals theft, police said.

Both are being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Video provided to Patch by Rajaraman Nagarajan, used with permission