City man suspect in 7-Eleven theft

LONG BRANCH - A city man is facing charges for allegedly robbing a 7- Eleven convenience store on Joline Avenue.

Police arrested and charged Michael Jennings, 44, of Buttonwood Avenue, with robbery, possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and theft on April 6.

Police responded to the 7-Eleven after receiving a report on April 4 of an armed robbery. Upon arrival at the scene, police learned that a male had entered the store at approximately 5:25 a.m. and was partially concealing what appeared to be a handgun, according to police reports.

The suspect told the cashier that he had a loaded gun and demanded money from the cash register. The cashier gave the man an undisclosed amount of cash from the register and then the unknown man fled the store on foot, authorities said.

An investigation by the Long Branch Police Department determined that Jennings was a suspect in the robbery and he was arrested on a separate theft warrant out of Long Branch, authorities said.

During the investigation into the robbery, police learned that Jennings had fashioned a metal pipe to resemble the barrel of a gun at the robbery, authorities said.

No proceeds were recovered from the robbery and no injuries were reported as a result of the robbery, authorities said.

Bail was set at $100,000 for Jennings with no 10 percent option.