Five Locals Robbed at Gunpoint After Midnight in Two Separate Incidents

Five young Maplewood residents were robbed at gunpoint in Maplewood after midnight on Friday in two separate incidents, according to Maplewood Police.

In the first incident, two teenagers, one male and one female, reported that they were approached by three men on Franklin Place near North Terrace — in the area near Columbia High School — at approximately 12:30 a.m. on July 22. The teens said that two of the three men were wearing ski masks and one produced a silver handgun. The three men demanded that the teens empty their pockets.

Two cell phones and a small amount of cash were stolen. The three men ran from the scene and possibly entered an older silver Nissan Sentra, according to the teens.

The men are described as black males between the ages of 19 to 25 years. The man with the gun is described as 6’ tall, of thin build, with large eyes and wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants. A second man was wearing a burgundy T-shirt, is about 5’11” tall with a thin build. And the third man is described as being about 5’11” tall with a thin build. 

No-one was injured in the incident.

A short time later three other victims, two females and one male, came forward to Maplewood Police and told officers that they were also robbed at gunpoint in the area of Maplecrest Park. The three victims were also approached by three men, one of whom had a handgun, and were forced to turn over their cell phones, wallets and cash. Two of the men in this second incident were also wearing ski masks and they were seen entering an older silver Nissan Sentra.

Maplewood Police detectives believe the two incidents are related and are working with the Union Police Department which has also had reports of similar incidents and similar suspects. Anyone with information related to these incidents is urged to call the Maplewood Detective Bureau at 973-762-3400, ext. 7905.