Man Injured In Alleged Gloucester Township Home Invasion Didn't Intend To Rob Home: Report

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The family of a Clayton man who was injured during a home invasion in Gloucester Township earlier this week claims he was duped by a group of people into going to the house in the first place.

Dante Robinson, 21, is accused of breaking into a home in the Key Lane area at about 12:30 a.m. Monday, Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said Wednesday.

Robinson admitted to pleaded guilty to fourth-degree obstruction of justice in 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale’s murder in 2013. He was subsequently released from prison.

Authorities haven’t released specific details about the home invasion, but the victims told 6 ABC that Robinson was one of four or five armed men who broke into their home and “beat and terrorized them.” The homeowner said he shot Robinson in self defense.

None of the other people in the alleged home invasion have been caught as of Friday morning.

Robinson’s mother, Anita Saunders, told the Courier Post, “he was asked by someone to take him somewhere to party.” She said the reason he’s being charged is because he was the only one who was caught. She also said she doesn’t know any of the other people involved, but truly believes her son didn’t know what was going to happen.

What ultimately happened was that Robinson was injured during an alleged home invasion and was hospitalized in Cooper University Hospital.

He is charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, third-degree aggravated assault and third-degree endangering a child.

After he is released from the hospital, he will be sent to Camden County jail pending the pretrial detention hearing in accordance with the New Jersey Bail Reform.

Robinson was 17 at the time of Pasquale’s death in 2012. His younger brother Justin was 15 when he lured Pasquale to her death. He pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

In his guilty plea, Justin Robinson indicated in a signed statement he had acted alone and his older brother had no idea what was going on. Dante Robinson wasn't held responsible in Pasquale's death. Justin Robinson also said his mother and stepfather weren't home when Pasquale was killed.

Pasquale was killed in October 2012. The Clayton community launched a massive search for her when she was reported missing after leaving home to ride her bike. Her body was found in a recycling bin days later.
Pasquale’s father Tony, told 6 ABC that Robinson never should’ve been let out of jail because it was “just a matter of time before something like this happened.”

Patch file photo of Autumn Pasquale