Manhunt For Violent Robbery Suspect Ends, Perp Caught, Wayne Cops Say

WAYNE, NJ — A man accused of violently robbing three construction workers at gun and knife-point is in police custody, according to Wayne police.

Yonathan Joel Medrano-Alvarez, AKA Joel Medrano, 25, of Paterson, turned himself in Monday night after weeks of being marked as a Wanted Person with nationwide extradition.

The hunt for Medrano-Alvarez launched after he and two other individuals violently robbed a trio of construction workers in Wayne on June 8, police said.

Armed with knives and guns, the trio robbed the three workers and stole one of their cars outside a building slated for demolition on Valley Road in Wayne, police say. One of the victims was pistol-whipped during the incident, authorities added.

Two of the suspects, Brayan D. Espinal-Fernandez, 24, and Luis A. Rivera-Yens, 32, both of Paterson, were arrested following the incident.

Medrano-Alvarez's whereabouts were unknown until he turned himself in to police, "following the advice of friends and family."

Read More: Armed Robbery Suspect Wanted By Wayne Police, Officials Say

Medrano-Alvarez is charged with carjacking, armed robbery, theft, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault, and conspiracy, the same crimes as his alleged co-conspirators.