Rookie Newark Cops Make Laundromat Robbery Arrests

NEWARK, NJ — A pair of rookie cops in Newark made a mark for themselves earlier this month when they apprehended three suspected Laundromat robbers, authorities say.

The rookie officers – members of the Newark Community Deployment Team (CDT) - were on Bloomfield Avenue conducting a business check around 3 p.m. on July 18 when they heard a patrol car dispatched to a robbery in progress less than a block away, the Newark Department of Public Safety stated.

As the two officers neared the laundromat, three suspects ran from the business and got into an allegedly stolen car, police said. The trio fled from the car, when it stalled on Berkley Avenue a short distance from the Laundromat.

A combination of CDT and backup officers arrested the three suspects a short time later, recovering proceeds and a knife allegedly used during the robbery, authorities said.

The two robbery victims weren’t hurt and required no medical attention, authorities said.

The three suspects - Eduardo Vazquez, 25, Christian Marte, 23 and a 16-year-old juvenile, all Newark residents - were charged with robbery, conspiracy, possession of a knife, possession of the knife for unlawful purposes and receiving stolen property for the auto.

Police are investigating the likelihood that this trio is responsible for other recent robberies, authorities added.

“These officers did a good job,” Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose said. “If the two CDT officers hadn’t chased the suspects, they might have gotten away. Although the presence of CDT officers usually acts as a deterrent, they can be equally effective at apprehending suspects when crimes do occur near or on their posts.”