2003 Media Releases:

CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
VINCENT P. SARUBBI, CAMDEN COUNTY PROSECUTOR
MEDIA   INFORMATION

January 23, 2003

Camden County Prosecutor Vincent P. Sarubbi announced today that a Grand Jury this week presented a series of indictments charging five teenagers and a 22-year-old with committing a string of home invasion robberies targeting Camden residents of Mexican descent.

During one home invasion, a pregnant 33-year-old woman and her 18-year-old sister were sexually assaulted at gunpoint. The younger female was raped repeatedly by multiple attackers. Another of the four incidents included an armed carjacking. The robbers wore hooded sweatshirts and masks to conceal their identities.

"This was a vicious series of robberies that victimized and terrorized Camden's Mexican-American community," Sarubbi said. "These crimes are chilling to any civilized person."

Three of the four robberies targeted residences that were occupied by between four and 12 people at the time. In the incident that included a carjacking, the resident was pulling up to his home when he was accosted at gunpoint and forced to let the robbers in the residence.

The alleged crimes took place in December 2001 and January 2002. The defendants allegedly stole cash, stereo and other electronic equipment, and of other items.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003, the Grand Jury indicted Camden residents:

• Nelson Estrada, 19, of the 400 block of Rand Street;
• Jesus Perez, 17, of the 3400 block of Westfield Avenue;
• Frank Rivera Jr., 17, of the 500 block of Rand Street;
• Francisco Verge, 18, of the 500 block of Rand Street;
• Saul Morales, 19, of the 300 block of Bailey Street; and
• Javier Cano, 22, of the first block of Federal Street.

Perez, Rivera and Verge were juveniles at the time of the alleged offenses, but were waived to adult court to face the charges. The alleged home invasion robberies took place on:

• Dec. 8, 2001, in the 2500 block of Baird Boulevard;
• Dec. 16, 2001, in the 100 block of North 26th Street, including sexual assaults;
• Dec. 30, 2001, in the 500 block of Pfeiffer Street, including a carjacking; and
• Jan. 18, 2002, in the first block of South 8th Street, including a severe beating of an adult male victim.

Estrada, Perez and Verge allegedly participated in all four incidents. They are each charged with multiple counts of Armed Robbery, Burglary and weapons offenses, as well as Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Sexual Assault, Carjacking and Kidnapping. Each faces up to 80 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act, if convicted.

Rivera allegedly took part in the three December 2001 incidents. He is charged with multiple counts of Armed Robbery, Burglary and weapons offenses, as well as Aggravated Sexual Assault, Carjacking and Kidnapping. He faces up to 60 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act, if convicted.

| Morales is accused of participating in the January 2002 home invasion. He is charged with Armed Robbery, Burglary and Aggravated Assault. He faces up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act, if convicted.

Cano is accused of participating in the Dec. 30, 2001, incident. He is charged with Armed Robbery, Burglary, Carjacking and Kidnapping. He faces up to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, with 85 percent to be served before parole eligibility under the No Early Release Act, if convicted.

The arrests resulted from an investigation by Camden Police. On Jan. 18, 2002, Camden officers, acting on information developed earlier in the investigation, followed a group of the defendants to South 8th Street and observed them enter the targeted home. The officers moved in, and after a brief foot chase, arrested two suspects. Further investigation led to the arrests of the other defendants later that day.

Court appearances for the defendants will be scheduled at a later date.

All persons charged with criminal offenses are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.