Johnny Martell Jr., age 23, of Philadelphia, was arrested on Oct. 2 in Lambertville and charged with Theft by Deception and Receiving Stolen Property, both third degree crimes.
A source close to the situation confirmed that the encounter took place outside Lambertville’s CVS retail location at 299 N. Main St., and a witness observed multiple law enforcement officials at the scene with weapons at the ready.
The arrest follows a joint investigation by detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police which purportedly revealed that Martell had used Craigslist as a tool to sell stolen property. The prosecutor said the Lambertville City Police and Philadelphia Police departments assisted in the investigation and arrest of Martel.
Bail was set at $15,000 by the Judge Eric Perkins. Martell is being lodged in the Somerset County Jail while awaiting his first court appearance.
Hunderton County Prosecutor Kearns said, “While online marketplaces like Craigslist and Ebay expand the markets that sellers and buyers can use to buy, sell or trade property, engaging in sales with strangers over the Internet increases the odds of falling prey to deceptive persons.”
(Information is provided by law enforcement and court officials, and is assumed accurate. All suspects and arrested persons are presumed not guilty unless proven guilty in a Court of Law or until such rights are waived by the accused.)
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