Man Charged With Armed Robbery Of Taxi Driver In Lakehurst: Police

LAKEHURST, NJ -- A Jackson Township man has been charged with armed robbery after a taxi driver said the man threatened to shoot him after taking the driver's money, police said.

Frank Kopec, 20, of Jackson, was arrested Friday in the case, Lakehurst Police Chief Eric Higgins said. Kopec is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $75,000 bail as set by Judge Damian Murray.

Higgins said the robbery happened Thursday afternoon. Lakehurst police were called to the 7-Eleven on Route 70 about 2 p.m. for an armed robbery.

At the 7-Eleven, the victim, who was a taxi driver from a Howell-based taxi company, told police he had picked up a fare from a location in Jackson Township and drove the subject to the Lakehurst 7-Eleven, Higgins said. Once the taxi arrived at the 7-Eleven, the suspect delayed the driver by saying he was waiting for someone to bring money for the fare, the driver told police. After several minutes, the suspect pushed a hard object into the driver's back and demanded all of his money, Higgins said.

Once the driver handed over the money, the suspect advised him that someone was watching him and he was not to call police or leave the parking lot or he would be shot, he told police. The suspect then fled the area on foot, Higgins said. The victim then contacted the police. Lakehurst officers canvassed the area and requested assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 and Crime Scene Investigation units. A suspect wasn’t located but information was developed that led to a positive ID of a suspect by the victim, Higgins said.

Sgt. Iain James arrested Kopec on June 3 and charged hhim with armed robbery, Higgins said.

The Lakehurst Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit, and the Jackson Township Police.

(Frank Kopec, photo via Ocean County Corrections Department)