Shocking Heist: Masked Gunman Robs N.J. Pharmacy for Prescription Drugs!
In a federal courtroom on Monday, a Newark man stood accused in connection with an armed robbery at a North Jersey pharmacy where he allegedly stole prescription drugs at gunpoint.
The defendant, identified as 26-year-old Nariq Petes, pleaded not guilty to a three-count indictment, which includes charges of Hobbs Act robbery, conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, Petes and an accomplice allegedly entered a pharmacy in Livingston,
Essex County, on Dec. 30, 2023, wearing black ski masks and displaying a firearm. The masked pair reportedly threatened pharmacy staff and made off with at least six bottles of prescription medications before fleeing the scene.
The Hobbs Act, a federal statute, criminalizes robbery and extortion when it impacts interstate or foreign commerce.
Prosecutors argue that the pharmacy robbery falls under this act, as it involved an armed threat and disruption to a business operation that is part of an interstate supply chain.
Petes was formally charged on Oct. 11 after investigators identified him as a suspect in the incident. He has since been taken into federal custody, though authorities have not yet disclosed whether the alleged accomplice has been identified.
No details about the specific pharmacy or the types of prescription drugs stolen have been released.
This case highlights the ongoing concern over a violent crime involving pharmaceuticals, an issue authorities are working to address through strict enforcement and federal oversight.