Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino has announced the arrest of a suspect for a June 1, 2010 robbery incident in Newark, during which an Essex County Sheriff’s Officer was grazed by a bullet from his own weapon. The suspect has been identified as 22 year old Fernandit Carpio of Newark. Fernandit is presently incarcerated in Florida on unrelated charges from a July 6, 2010 incident in Orlando, Florida where he was charged with Attempted Felony Murder and Attempted Sexual Battery.
The Sheriff’s Officer was off duty and en-route to work on June 1, 2010 at 7am, when he observed Fernandit grab a female victim around the neck and attempt to rob her in the area of 4th Avenue and Garside Street, Newark.
The victim violently struggled with the suspect, gouging the suspect with her nails. The suspect who was bleeding was pursued by the Sheriff’s Officer. As the Officer caught up with the suspect and attempted to place him under arrest, the suspect struggled with the Officer, attempting to disarm the Officer of his weapon. During the course of the struggle for the weapon , the weapon fired, grazing the Officer in the buttocks. The suspect fled on foot .
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Squad conducted this investigation with the assistance of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department and the Newark Police Department. The detectives were able to obtain physical evidence at the scene which linked Fernandit to the crime in Newark.
The Honorable Judge Michael Petrolle issued an arrest warrant for Carpio for robbery, attempting to disarm a Law Enforcement Officer, and threat to use physical force or violence against a law enforcement officer effecting a lawful arrest. Bail was set at one million dollars.
Acting Prosecutor Robert Laurino commends the Sheriff’s Officer for his swift actions and the collaboration between all law enforcement agencies that successfully conducted the investigation and were able to bring the responsible person to justice.
These charges are mere accusations. Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
