2 Men Rip Register, Steal Cigarettes At Mercer Co. Quick Check, Police Say

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Trenton man was arrested after fleeing on a bicycle, breaking through a backyard fence and ditching a bag of stolen cigarettes during an overnight robbery at a Hamilton convenience store, police said.

Officers were dispatched to a robbery in progress at the Quick Check at 1100 S. Olden Ave. at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Aug. 19, according to police. Dispatchers reported that two men wearing dark clothing had robbed the store, stealing cigarettes and a register before fleeing on bicycles down Cedar Lane.

Arriving officers spotted a man matching the description near the intersection of Newkirk Avenue and Watson Avenue. When Officer Connor Kasa ordered the man to stop, he jumped off his bicycle and ran, breaking a hole in a fence on Newkirk Avenue while fleeing, police said. Kasa observed the man throw a black trash bag during the pursuit and caught up to him, later identified as Giddings, in a nearby backyard, taking him into custody without further incident.

The trash bag contained cigarettes believed to be stolen from the store, police said. A search of Giddings turned up suspected crack cocaine and a suspected crack pipe.

Other officers who responded to the store reviewed surveillance footage that showed Giddings and a second, unidentified man enter the store and go behind the counter, placing numerous packs of cigarettes into a black trash bag, according to police. The store clerk attempted to stop them but was forcibly pushed back and was not injured. Police said Giddings then tore the cash register from the counter and both men fled.

Approximately $1,047 worth of cigarettes, a cash register valued at approximately $300, and about $472 in cash were stolen during the robbery, police said. The men also caused approximately $3,820 in damage to cigarette displays, shelves and drawers.

The second suspect was not apprehended and is described as a light-skinned man who was wearing a tan face mask, a black towel over his head, a black long-sleeve shirt, black pants and black shoes, police said. He is believed to be in possession of the stolen cash register.

Giddings was charged with robbery, resisting arrest by flight, obstructing the administration of law, trespassing, criminal mischief, possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law.

Anyone with information is asked to contact D/Sgt. Robert C. Colletti at 609-581-4107, Det. Robert Whartenby at 609-581-4032, or the Hamilton Police Crime Tip Hotline at 609-581-4008.

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