'Intense' Chase Leads To Arrest In Westfield 7-11 Armed Robbery

WESTFIELD, NJ – A 22-year-old East Orange man was arrested and charged with the armed robbery of a convenience store located on the 800 block of Central Avenue Friday, according to the Westfield Police Department.

Patrol officers responded to an alarm at the convenience store on at approximately 2:08 a.m. and police determined the store was robbed by a masked individual armed with an apparent firearm, Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said.

The suspect reportedly fled prior to the arrival of police with an undetermined amount of cash proceeds in his possession, Battiloro said. Shortly thereafter, during a search of the area, an investigating detective located an imitation firearm apparently discarded by the fleeing suspect, Battiloro said.

Later that day, during related investigatory work, Justice Lassiter and Rachel Gilbert, age 20, of South Orange, were approached on the 100 block of Central Avenue and fled from patrol officers, Battiloro said.

Following an intense foot chase, Sergeant John Tango and Officer Christopher Santangelo apprehended Lassiter and Officer Kristopher Jackus apprehended Gilbert, Battiloro said.

Lassiter was subsequently charged with 1st degree robbery, 4th degree possession of an imitation firearm, 4th degree obstruction of the administration of law, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance under 50 grams, Battiloro said.

He was remanded to the Union County Jail.

Gilbert was subsequently charged with 4th degree obstruction of the administration of law, Battiloro said. She was released from custody after being served with a summons.

Battiloro credited the swift and thorough investigative work of Detective Sergeant Nicole Stivale and Detectives Nicholas Bruno and Dennis DaSilva, as well as the remarkable efforts of patrol officers, with bringing this investigation to fruition with arrests within hours of its occurrence.

“The tremendous efforts of the patrol officers and detectives involved resulted in the removal of a criminal from our streets,” Battiloro said. “Their exceptional work is to be commended.”

Anyone with further information relating to this incident is asked to contact Detective DaSilva of the Westfield Police Department at 908-789-6085.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.