‘Don’t Be Stupid’: New Details On NY Jet Player’s Robbery In North Jersey

MORRISTOWN, NJ — New details on the arrest of a Passaic County man for the robbery of a pro-football player in Morristown have been revealed.

Last month, Noah Shaffer, 26, of Paterson, was charged for his role in an armed robbery in Morristown almost exactly a year ago, authorities said. On Monday, he was ordered to remain detained at the Bergen County Correctional Facility, where he was already being held for separate charges.

Related: NJ Man Who Robbed NY Jets Player At Gunpoint Arrested, Cops Say

On Feb. 15, 2025, around 8 a.m., police were called to a Morristown residence on reports of an armed robbery.

A victim only identified by police as J.S., who was playing football for the New York Jets at the time, said he and his friends were returning from New York City when they pulled into their driveway.

At that point, a Volkswagen Taos with stolen plates blocked the driveway, and four masked gunmen exited the car, police said.

Pointing their guns at J.S. and his driver (M.A.), the masked men yelled “give me everything you have” and “don’t be stupid” before taking J.S.'s $10,000 watch and his wallet, as well as $400 cash from M.A.

The four men then jumped back into the Volkswagen and drove off. No injuries were reported.

Investigators reviewed surveillance footage in and around the NYC clubs that J.S. and his friends were in the night before the robbery.

Footage showed that the Volkswagen had been following J.S. and his crew as early as 2:30 a.m., around six hours before the robbery, according to the affidavit. Footage also showed the Volkswagen parked outside the clubs waiting for J.S. to leave.

It was around 7:40 a.m. that morning, minutes before the robbery, when automatic license plate readers showed J.S.’s car traveling from New York City over the George Washington Bridge. Footage shows the suspect Volkswagen close behind, police records read.

According to the affidavit, phone records indicated that several phone calls were made in the area at the time. Further investigation revealed that these calls were made by a phone registered to Shaffer.

A search warrant was executed on Shaffer’s cell phone, and phone record evidence indicated that he was involved in the robbery, the affidavit reads.

Shaffer was subsequently charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of conspiracy to commit robbery. He is expected in court on March 2. It's not clear when Shaffer's involvement was discovered, or why it took roughly a year to charge him.

Authorities are still looking for the other suspects in the robbery, and anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 973-285-6200.