Police Seeking Location of Armed Robbery Suspect

Watchung police are searching for Jahad Perkins, 22, of Plainfield, after an April 18 incident at Watchung Square Mall where he and another man allegedly stole an iPhone while showing a handgun.

According to a news release issued Wednesday by Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Chief of Detectives Stuart A. Buckman and Watchung Borough Chief of Police Timothy Wenzel, Perkins and Brian Ward, 21, of Plainfield, approached a man who wanted to sell his iPhone at a store in the mall at about 7 p.m. April 18, offering to buy the phone directly.

Perkins and Ward then reportedly asked the victim to accompany them to their car, at which point, Perkins is reported to have lifted his shirt to show a handgun in his waistband and said he was stealing the phone. Fearing for his life, police said, the victim ran away.  

Plainfield police took Ward into custody on  April 19 in Plainfield, but Perkins has not been seen. Both are wanted on first degree armed robbery charges, and unlawful possession of a weapon, a second-degree charge.

Soriano said Crime Stoppers of Somerset County, Inc. is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest of Perkins. Information about Perkins' location can be reported by calling 1-888-577-TIPS (8477) or via the online TIPS form. Anyone reporting information will not be asked to give their name and will not be asked to testify in court.