Robbery on the Henry Hudson Trail

MIDDLETOWN, NJ - A man was robbed and assaulted in an apparently random attack while on the Henry Hudson Trail in Middletown Township earlier this month. Two Keansburg residents have been charged with the crime.

The incident happened Monday, January 16: The victim, a 29-year-old man, said he was approached by two men on the trail. The suspects reportedly robbed him and assaulted him by throwing him on the ground and stomping on him, police said. They also threatened him with a knife, and threatened to kill him, police said. The two men fled on bicycles, riding towards Keansburg, Middletown police said.

One of the suspects, identified as Ernest W. Lapointe, 40, of Keansburg, was stopped in the area by Ptl. Kent Thornton. Brandon A. Witkowski, 19, of Keansburg, was identified as the second suspect. Both Lapointe and Witkowski were charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose and theft.