Alleged Halloween Murderer of Union County Neighbor Arrested: Prosecutor

ELIZABETH, NJ — The man who allegedly shot and killed his Union County neighbor early Monday morning was arrested, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park announced Tuesday.

Jimmy Kearney, 18, of Elizabeth is charged with first-degree felony murder, first-degree murder, first-degree robbery, and two related weapons offenses in connection with the death of 61-year- old Robert Rouse.

Rouse's body was found in the 400 block of Walnut Street in Elizabeth shortly before 6 a.m. on Oct. 31. he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Armando Suarez, who is prosecuting the case.

Kearney was quickly identified as a suspect and arrested following an intensive joint investigation by the Union County Homicide Task Force, Union County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Unit, Elizabeth Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Unit, and Union County Police Department Ballistics Unit.

Kearney was lodged in Union County Jail on $750,000 bail set by state Superior Court Judge Regina Caulfield.

Anyone with information about this matter still is being urged to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Jose Vendas at 908-358-3048 or Detective Juan Velarde at 908-418- 7066.

Kearney could face 30 years to life in state prison for the felony murder charges.

(Image via Shutterstock)

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