Police arrest three after reported robbery on Pine Street
By Erin Roll
Police arrested a 20-year-old Montclair man, who allegedly used two 17-year-olds from Orange and Jersey City, to rob a party at a Pine Street apartment on Friday, Nov. 22.
Jonathan Funderburk, 20, of Montclair, was charged with robbery, conspiracy, and two counts of use of a juvenile to commit a criminal offense after further investigation gave reason to believe that he had assisted the juveniles in committing the robbery.
Police said the two 17-year-olds robbed an apartment while the owner was holding a party there, and an investigation determined that Funderburk, who arrived at the party before the two 17-year-olds broke in, had helped them.
Shortly before 10 p.m., police responded to an apartment on Pine Street on a report of an armed robbery with a handgun. Upon arrival, police met with the victim and Funderburk. The victim reported that she was having a small party. Shortly after Funderburk arrived, two masked men arrived, with one having a handgun and demanding money. The victim told police that one of the suspects reached into her bra, possibly to check to see if she had any money. Many of the party guests fled the apartment, and the two 17-year-olds fled prior to police arrival.
Responding officers observed two individuals matching the description provided by witnesses. Upon seeing the police, the pair fled east on Bloomfield Avenue on foot. After a foot pursuit, one individual was apprehended, and police recovered a loaded handgun from the suspect’s waistband. Police also found proceeds from the robbery, including cash, an iPhone, and wireless headphones. Shortly thereafter, the second suspect was apprehended in a parking lot on Bloomfield Avenue.
The 17-year-old Jersey City resident was charged with robbery, burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, resisting arrest, conspiracy, and aggravated criminal sexual contact. The 17-year-old Orange resident was charged with robbery, burglary, resisting arrest, and conspiracy.