One Arrested, Second On The Loose: Armed Robbery At CVS On Rt. 22

North Plainfield, NJ -- A North Plainfield man was arrested Wednesday in connection with an armed robbery at a CVS Pharmacy located on Route 22 East, Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson announced.

Early Tuesday morning, James A. Munoz, age 20, of Harrison Avenue, North Plainfield along with another black man reportedly entered the store in North Plainfield wearing ski masks covering a portion of their faces and stole cash from a locked register, according to the prosecutor's release.

North Plainfield Police were dispatched to the scene where two employees reported the other robber was carrying a long arm rifle, while Munoz allegedly stole the cash.

The suspect is described as a black male, thin build, medium height, last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, dark pants, with a black ski mask covering a portion of his face.

One of the employees reported recognizing Munoz as the store’s overnight manager and noted that when he relieved Munoz earlier that evening he did not receive the second cash drawer key from him, according to the report.

A search of Munoz's home found clothing, a black mask, gloves, the CVS cash drawer key and three shotguns, Robertson said.

Munoz was arrested and charged with Robbery, first degree, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, third degree, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, third degree.

Munoz was lodged in the Somerset County Jail. Bail was set by the Honorable Kathy Qasim, J.S.C., at $150,000 cash only, with the condition that should he make bail he is not to have contact with the victims.

The investigation is continuing as detectives attempt to identify the second suspect who participated in the robbery.

Acting Prosecutor Robertson, Acting Chief Fitzgerald, and Chief Parenti request anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-231-7100, or the North Plainfield Borough Police Department at (908) 769-2937,

Those individual wishing to remain anonymous can submit their information by calling the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”. All Crime Stopper Tips will be kept confidential.

(Photo, SCPO: James A. Munoz, age 20, of Harrison Avenue, North Plainfield)