Seller Of Game System Robbed In Bergen County, Woman And 2 Teens Arrested

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — A person who came to Lodi to see a gaming system was robbed by two teens, ultimately leading to three arrests, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Maria Montoya, 39, of Lodi and two 17-year-old males were charged in the incident, said the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutors said that on March 17, just after 11:30 p.m. the Lodi Police Department responded to an armed robbery that had occurred in the area of Church and Boyd streets.

Investigators determined that the victim arrived there to sell a gaming computer that he had advertised on social media.

As the victim was sitting in the car, two teens approached to discuss the matter.

"A short time later, one suspect opened the rear driver-side door of the vehicle and removed the computer," prosecutors say.

Then, the other suspect brandished a gun and pointed it at the victim, prosecutors say.

The teens grabbed the computer and ran, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors and local police investigated and determined that the two 17-year-old boys were the ones who talked to the victim and ran.

One teen was arrested on April 21 and charged with juvenile delinquency — specifically first-degree armed robbery, weapons charges, and third-degree burglary.

The suspect was taken to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center before being released to the custody of a parent.

The second teen was arrested on June 11. During a search of the teen's home, detectives found a gun and two large-capacity ammunition magazines, prosecutors said.

He was charged with juvenile delinquency, specifically: first-degree armed robbery, third-degree burglary, fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, and weapons charges.

The teen was transferred to the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center and remains in protective custody to await further court action, prosecutors said.

The investigation also revealed that Montoya hindered the apprehension of the suspects by providing transportation — and other means of avoiding apprehension — to one of them.

She was arrested Monday and charged with fourth-degree hindering the apprehension of another.

She was released to wait a court appearance, prosecutors said.