Man Robbed McDonald's; Surveillance Led Detectives To His Home: Camden Co. Prosecutors

BERLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man was arrested after a McDonald's robbery that led to nearby schools canceling class Friday in Berlin Township, authorities said.

A masked suspect entered the McDonald's on Route 73 in Berlin Township around 6:40 a.m. Friday, authorities said.

He demanded cash and kept his hands in his sweatshirt pocket, leading workers to believe he had a gun, according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. The suspect collected the cash and fled the premises.

No weapons were displayed, and no one was injured.

The investigation brought a heavy police presence to the restaurant, prompting the Berlin Township School District to cancel class on Friday. Both Berlin Township schools are about a half-mile away from the McDonald's.

• Related: School Canceled After Armed Robbery At Nearby McDonald's In Camden Co.: Officials

Later that day, authorities identified the suspect as William Alvarado Jr., 42, of West Berlin.

Detectives used surveillance footage to track Alvarado from the restaurant to his vehicle and ultimately to his home, prosecutors said. Alvarado was taken into custody and charged with second-degree robbery.

Alvarado was jailed in the Camden County Correctional Facility, pending a future court hearing. He didn't have a listed attorney in online court records on Monday.

Anyone with information can call Det. Michael Manning of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office at 856-365-3246 and Det. Lt. David Childs of the Berlin Township Police Department at 856-767-5878, ext. 214. Tips may also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS.