Paterson trio facing first-degree robbery charges after armed meetup in Teaneck
Investigators say the victim arranged to meet an acquaintance to purchase THC cartridges
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Three Paterson men have been arrested following a months-long joint investigation into an armed robbery that occurred during a reported drug transaction in Teaneck.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office identified the suspects as Zamair Johnson, 23, Zaier Jones, 24, and Jaden Nickels, 25.
According to authorities, the incident took place late Sunday, Aug. 23. Investigators say the victim arranged to meet an acquaintance shortly after 11 p.m. to purchase THC cartridges. The acquaintance arrived in a dark-colored vehicle accompanied by two other people.
When the victim entered the vehicle, all three suspects allegedly pulled guns on him, demanded cash and threatened him while ordering him to transfer additional money through a mobile banking app. The suspects then took the victim’s cellphone and fled before police were alerted, authorities said.
The Teaneck Police Department was notified the following day and launched a joint investigation with the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Robbery-Homicide Division.
Detectives identified Johnson, Jones and Nickels as the three men inside the vehicle. On Oct. 19, criminal charges were authorized against all three men, including first-degree robbery, weapons offenses, certain persons not to possess firearms, terroristic threats and aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.
On Tuesday, detectives and the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team executed search warrants at the suspects’ Paterson residences and a hotel in Wayne where Johnson and Nickels were staying. All three men were taken into custody without incident.
