Newark Men Robbed Gas Stations In West Orange, Woodbridge, Union: Feds

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Two men from Newark have been accused of robbing seven gas stations in West Orange, Woodbridge and Union, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Ahmad Singletary, 24, and Joseph Young, 26, were charged with conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, seven counts of Hobbs Act robbery, and two counts of using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

Singletary is also charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors released the following allegations against Singletary and Young:

“On three occasions on Sept. 5, 2023, and four occasions on Sept. 12, 2023, Singletary and Young robbed gas stations in Middlesex, Union and Essex counties. The defendants targeted gas stations on or near highways, used a firearm, committed the robberies in the early morning, and performed the robberies in approximately four minutes or less. During the course of four of the robberies, Singletary threatened, assaulted and struck victims in the head with a firearm, causing physical injuries.”

Here's where the robberies took place, according to a criminal complaint:

• Armed robbery of a gas station in Woodbridge on September 5, 2023
• Armed robbery of a gas station in Union on September 5, 2023
• Armed robbery of a gas station in Union on September 5, 2023
• Armed robbery of a gas station in Woodbridge on September 12, 2023
• An armed robbery of a gas station in Woodbridge on September 12, 2023
• An armed robbery of a gas station in Woodbridge on September 12, 2023
• Armed robbery of a gas station in West Orange on September 12, 2023

During their investigation, law enforcement officials learned that a white Audi A4 with a New Jersey license plate was used in the course of the three robberies on September 5, and a black BMW 430i with a New Jersey license plate was used in the course of the four robberies on September 12.

Here’s what penalties each charge can potentially carry, prosecutors said:

“The Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The conspiracy to use and carry a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison. The using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence counts each carry a maximum potential penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, which must run consecutively to any other term of imprisonment imposed. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offenses, whichever is greatest. Singletary is subject to a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison for the charge of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.”

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited several agencies with aiding the investigation, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Jersey State Police, the Union County Prosecutors Office, the Newark Police Department, the Township of Union Police Department, the Woodbridge Police Department and the West Orange Police Department.

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