Man Admits To Gunpoint Robbery Of Woodbridge Liquor Store In 2018

WOODBRIDGE, NJ — On Wednesday, an Elizabeth man pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court to being part of a group of men who committed gunpoint robberies of multiple liquor stores in Central New Jersey.

And one of the liquor stores was the Wine Chateau on St. Georges Avenue.

The group robbed that store at gunpoint on November 13, 2018, said U.S. Attorneys. They did not disclose how much was stolen. No one was injured.

In total, the group committed armed robberies of 13 liquor or convenience stores in the Bronx and Union, Middlesex and Essex counties in New Jersey, said federal prosecutors. All the armed robberies took place from August 2018 through February 2019.

After entering the business, one of the conspirators pointed a firearm at the store clerk while another conspirator went behind the counter to steal money from the cash register. On one occasion, one of the conspirators discharged a gun into the liquor store, without hitting anyone.

The men were charged with violating the Hobbs Act, which is a federal law the prohibits armed robbery across state lines. The Hobbs Act is commonly used today to prosecute gun crimes.

Jaime Fontanez, 45, of Elizabeth, pleaded guilty this week before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to eight counts of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, five substantive counts of Hobbs Act robbery and two counts of brandishing a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence.

Vincent Chan-Guillen, 30, also of Elizabeth, was also charged. Federal prosecutors say other men were involved, but they have not been apprehended. FBI agents say it was Chan-Guillen who fired the gun, and the gun used in the robberies was found in his possession.

In New Jersey, federal prosecutors say the group is responsible for:

• Armed robbery of The Beverage Shop in Rahway on or about November 9, 2018
• Armed robbery of the Wine Chateau in Avenel on or about November 13, 2018
• Armed robbery of Kenilworth Discount Liquors on or about February 19, 2019
• Attempted robbery at the BuyRite Liquors in Bloomfield on or about November 13, 2018
• Armed robbery of South Wood Discount Liquor in Linden on or about November 27, 2018
• Armed robbery of Triangle Liquor Store in Union on or about February 19, 2019
• Gunpoint robberies of seven other liquor/convenience stores in the Bronx.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2023.