The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office has announced that a Grand Jury has indicted Nelson Morales, 45, of Cliffside Park, NJ, in connection with the gunpoint robbery at the Finest Vape and Smoke Shop in Garnerville — an incident first reported by Monsey Scoop (original story here).
Morales is facing charges of Robbery in the First Degree and Kidnapping in the Second Degree. He is set to be arraigned today, July 9th, at 2:00 p.m. before Judge Kevin J. Russo in Rockland County Court.
Prosecutors say Morales entered the store masked and armed on June 25th, threatened a lone employee, and demanded access to a safe. When the employee couldn’t open it, Morales forced him to the register and made off with approximately $800 in cash and merchandise. He fled the scene, sparking a multi-agency manhunt that ended with his arrest.
If convicted, Morales faces 5 to 25 years in state prison. The case is being handled by Executive Assistant District Attorney Michael Peterson and Assistant District Attorney Daniella Harris.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.