NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Two city men are facing criminal charges after they allegedly furnished what looked like a concealed weapon last week and stole more than $100 and a paycheck from two other residents, according to New Brunswick police.

Anthony Torres-Rodriguez, 22, and Ron Morales-Andino, 19, are each charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of marijuana. Torres-Rodriguez is also accused of hindering apprehension by providing false information to police.

They allegedly entered the backyard of a Welton Street home where two men were hanging out around 3 a.m. Friday, May 5, New Brunswick police Capt. J.T. Miller told TAPinto New Brunswick.

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“I’m not sure if the people knew each other or not, but they were talking about marijuana,” he said.

Then Torres-Rodriguez and Morales-Andino took from the van an object that was covered with a towel, police alleged. The victims—a 35-year-old man and a 32-year-old man—thought it was a gun, Miller said.

The accused then allegedly demanded money. They stole a paycheck worth more than $500 and more than $100 in cash before fleeing in the van, police alleged.

About an hour later, police spotted a vehicle matching that description near the corner of Redmond and Drift streets.

“There was no pursuit or anything,” Miller said. “They pulled right over.”





Cops found three people in the van. The victims identified two of the men as the alleged robbers, according to police.

A third New Brunswick resident, 19-year-old John German-Suarez, was also in the vehicle. He was charged with drug possession after police allegedly found heroin on him.