Carjacking, String Of Armed Robberies Across Union County Lead To Arrests

UNION COUNTY, NJ — Three men were charged in connection with a string of armed robberies and one carjacking that happened throughout Union County, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Thursday.

Police reported the men were identified as suspects in five armed robberies that occurred between December 2022 and January 2023 throughout Union County.

Alfred Pierre, 37, and Daron Thomas, 32, were arrested on April 4 and charged with multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault, and weapons offenses.

A third suspect, Isaiah Barrett, 32, was previously arrested for one of the robberies that happened on December 26, 2022 in Linden and has since been in custody in the Essex County Jail, where he was served warrants for multiple counts of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault, and weapons for the additional incidents.

Barrett has also been charged with falsely reporting a crime to law enforcement and employing a juvenile in furtherance of this false report.

The three men were identified following a thorough and exhaustive investigation conducted by Detective Juan Velarde and Detective Nicole Andrews of the Linden Police Department, Detective Aaron Silva of the Roselle Police Department, Detective Herbert Gonzalez of the Elizabeth Police Department, Detective Jada Gonzalez of the Orange Police Department, and Detective William Hannon of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office.

This investigation also led to the identification of Barrett and Thomas as the suspects in a carjacking that took place in January 2023 in Linden.

Pierre and Thomas were arrested without incident and taken to the Union County Police Department for processing.

"I want to commend the fortitude and dedication exhibited by all of the investigators who have worked tirelessly on this case," said Daniel. "Together we are able to reduce predatory violence and improve the quality of life for the residents of the communities we continue to serve."

"The arrest and prosecution of this case could not be possible without the coordinated effort of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the municipal police agencies," stated Assistant Prosecutor Melissa Caparruva who will be prosecuting this case. "Our goal is to seek justice for the many individuals victimized by these violent acts."

Anyone with additional information should contact Detective William Hannon of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office at 908-578-8482 or their local police departments.

All three defendants are in custody and housed in the Essex County Jail.

These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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