Three arrests in robbery of gas station, restaurant

OCEAN TOWNSHIP - Two 18-year-old males and one 17-year-old were arrested last week and charged with robbery and theft at two separate locations.

On Sept. 27 at approximately 9:35 p.m., township police officers responded to the Jersey Gas station located on Sunset Avenue in reference to a robbery that had just occurred possibly involving several suspects.

Further information indicated that the gas station attendant was assaulted and an undisclosed amount of money was taken from him. While en route, a second call was received by police about a theft that had just occurred at the Spring Garden Chinese Restaurant located on Wickapecko Drive, a short distance from the gas station.

Upon arrival, officers learned that the suspects had just fled southbound on Wickapecko Drive and an employee of the restaurant was chasing one suspect on foot.

According to police, officers found a suspect being detained by the employee on Wickapecko Drive near Appleby Drive. That suspect, identified as James Rhashid Silas, was then taken into custody. A few minutes later Detective Gregory Tongring observed another suspect duck into the wooded area along Wickapecko Drive near Deal Lake. Tongring subsequently took a second suspect into custody, later identified as a 17-year-old-male from Neptune. According to police the 17-year-old suspect was found to have in his possession the proceeds taken from the attendant.

Tongring also observed a third suspect walking in the area. He was identified as Camaron Dunbar, 18, of Asbury Park, and was also taken into custody.

Police said further investigation revealed that Dunbar was involved in the theft of the tip jar from the counter at the restaurant, and Silas, along with the juvenile, allegedly committed the robbery at the gas station.

Silas was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold Township, on $5,000 bail.

The 17-year-old was charged with strong arm robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was sent to the Monmouth County Youth Detention Center. Gordon was charged with theft and released on a criminal summons.