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After following the courier through several collections along his 12-stop route in Elizabeth, the thugs punched him in the face and chest, then ripped the cash bag from his hands at the corporate offices of ADPP Enterprises on Route 17 South on Jan. 22, Police Chief James Batelli said.
The company, founded in 1985, operates Valero service stations and convenience stores throughout New Jersey and distributes gas and diesel products to other stations.
Building surveillance cameras show the robbers heading into a second-floor bathroom, where they apparently lay in wait for their target, Batelli said.
Detective Kevin Hebert found video from other businesses that showed the bandits following the victim’s cash pickups in Elizabeth before he headed to Mahwah, the chief said.
FBI agents from the bureau’s West Paterson office “provided crucial technological capabilities that were not available at a local level,” Batelli said, without elaborating.
Hebert conducted several interviews before narrowing down a list of potential suspects, then worked with fellow Detectives Guido Bussinelli and Michael Grassi to zero in on the defendants, the chief said.
Separate arrests followed, beginning on Oct. 8:
An employee of one of the service stations, Fablian Filley (above: top right), was charged with robbery and theft. He was being held on $300,000 bail in the Bergen County Jail.
The accused getaway driver, 34-year-old Alexander Bergero (above, middle), has since been released on $300,000 bail from the Bergen County Jail, charged with robbery and theft.
Still being held in the county lockup, also on $300,000 bail, was Julian A. Pena Santana (above, left), 26, who Batelli said was “an actual participant” in the mugging. He’s charged with robbery, assault and theft.
The other accused participant, 23-year-old Luis Bernabei (above: bottom right), was already being held in the Middlesex County Jail on unrelated charges. Mahwah authorities charged him with robbery, assault and theft. A judge set his bail $300,000, as well.
The fifth suspect apparently fled the state, Batelli said. Mahwah authorities are working with the U.S. Marshal’s Service to track him down.
So far, none of the stolen money has been recovered, the chief said.
MUGSHOTS: Courtesy MAHWAH PD
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