Paramus Police Arrest Four People on Suspicion Of Armed Robbery

Armed Robbery in Paramus Paramus Police Chief Richard J. Cary announced the arrests of JENNIFER CRUZ (DOB:06/01/1978 OF 733 East 24th Street, Paterson, N.J., JARITA SANCHEZ (DOB: 01/14/1984) of 38 Gaston Avenue, Apt 4, Garfield, N.J., DANIEL CALDERON (DOB: 10/08/1981) of 38 Gaston Avenue, Apt 4, Garfield, N.J., and MERLE JACKSON (DOB: 11/24/1980) of 7 Jennings Avenue, North Plainfield, N.J., on various charges related to an armed robbery in Paramus New Jersey.

The arrest came about as a result of an investigation conducted by members of the Paramus Police Department, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Joseph Macellaro, the Springfield Police Department under the direction of Chief William Chisholm and the Parsippany-Troy Hills Police Department under the direction of Chief Michael Peckerman.On Wednesday, April 29, 2009, two employees of the Game Stop store located at 501 State Highway 17 southbound reported that they had been the victims of an armed robbery at approximately 8:30 p.m.

According to the employees, a female entered the store, spent several minutes talking on a cell phone, and then announced a robbery. The female pointed a handgun at one of the employees, and directed both to a rear stock room. While moving to the stock room, a male entered the store, also armed with a handgun, and joined the female. Once in the stockroom, the rear door was opened, and another male entered and joined in the robbery. The employees’ hands were duct-taped behind their backs and they were ordered to kneel on the floor. For approximately 20-30 minutes, the suspects removed game systems, games, cash, and the employees’ cell phones and wallets. Prior to leaving, the suspects shut off power to the store and threatened to kill the employees.

During the investigation, Paramus detectives learned that similar robberies had been committed in Parsippany, New Jersey on January 13, 2009, and Springfield, New Jersey on February 3, 2009. As a result of a joint investigation, on May 8, 2009, arrest and search warrants were executed in Garfield, New Jersey resulting in the arrests of JARITA SANCHEZ AND DANIEL CALDERON. Arrest and search warrants were
executed in Paterson, New Jersey resulting in the arrest of JENNIFER CRUZ. MERLE JACKSON was arrested in Plainfield, New Jersey and a search warrant was executed at his residence, 7 Jennings Avenue, North Plainfield, New Jersey.

Defendants JENNIFER CRUZ, DANIEL CALDERON, and MERLE JACKSON were charged in Paramus with ROBBERY and KIDNAPPING. Bail was set at $150,000.00 no 10% option, after which they were remanded to the Bergen County Jail in lieu of bail.

Defendant JARITA SANCHEZ was charged in Paramus with CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT ROBBERY and CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT KIDNAPPING. Bail was set at $75,000.00 no 10% option. She was released after posting bail.

The Paramus Police Department would like to thank the Garfield Police Department, Plainfield Police Department, Paterson Police Department, and North Plainfield Police Department for their assistance.

Chief Richard J. Cary states that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.