Authorities on Thursday announced accused K-9 Schultz killer Skyler Robinson will not face prison time in connection with the police dog's death or the robbery of a Chinese restaurant that same night.

Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk and Gloucester Township Police Chief W. Harry Earle issued a joint press release announcing Robinson, 22, of Sewell, will avoid prison time after a judge granted his request to enter drug rehabilitation rather than face a prison sentence by going to trial. Robinson's trial on charges stemming from the Nov. 30, 2010, Lucky Dragon Chinese restaurant robbery and K-9 Schultz death was scheduled to begin next week.

Robinson applied for drug treatment as an alternative to incarceration, and that request was granted by Superior Court Judge Thomas Brown on Thursday. The Sewell man was indicted in June 2011 on counts of robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault, resisting arrest and two counts of injury to law enforcement animals.

As part of Brown's ruling, Robinson must plead guilty in order to enter the drug rehabilitation program. Additionally, Robinson will be given an alternative state prison sentence, which would be imposed should he not successfully complete the drug program. The date for that hearing has not yet been scheduled. Robinson's co-conspirator in the Lucky Dragon job, Evan Scotese, 21, also of Sewell, currently is serving a six-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree robbery on Aug. 1, 2011, in connection with the case.

Police responding to the East Church Street Chinese restaurant the night of Nov. 30, 2010, on a report of a robbery ended up pursuing the suspects to Route 42.

K-9 Schultz's handler, Cpl. Mark Pickard, released Schultz after ordering Robinson, who was 20 years old at the time, to stop and warning him he had a police dog with him, according to authorities.

K-9 Schultz caught up to Robinson, and the police dog and Washington Township man struggled. It is alleged Robinson punched Schultz in the head, forcing the K-9 to release its grip. When Schultz caught Robinson again, the former Washington Township High School football star began swinging Schultz into the path of oncoming traffic in an effort to make the K-9 release his arm. Robinson and K-9 Schultz reportedly were struck by the same car.