Asbury Park Armed Robber Facing Life Imprisonment
Prosecutor: 40-yr-old threatened witnesses of his 2014 crime
Monmouth County jury returned a guilty verdict against a city resident charged in the 2014 armed robbery of a man, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a written statement.
Mario Figueroa, 40, of Asbury Park, was found guilty Tuesday of first degree armed robbery, fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon, third degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second degree aggravated assault, second degree witness retaliation, and two counts of first degree witness tampering for crimes committed against witnesses to the armed robbery.
The conviction stems from an Oct. 21, 2014 incident at the corner of Main Street and Sewall Avenue that charged Figueroa of holding a box cutter to his victim’s throat and forcing him to the ground before stealing his wallet, officials said.
Figueroa was observed running from the scene by the Asbury Park Police Department Street Crimes Unit. After conducting an initial investigation, Figueroa was arrested, officials said.
But while awaiting his trial in Monmouth County Jail, Figueroa encountered a witness to his crime. He assaulted him for giving a statement to the Asbury Park police, leaving the witness with permanent vision damage, officials said. Figueroa then went after a second witness by sending dozens of threatening letters.
Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Vincent N. Falcetano, Jr. presided over the two-week trial, which included several disruptive outbursts that led to his removal from the courtroom. He is expected to return Wednesday to hear the verdict and receive a sentencing date, officials said.
Due to his prior criminal record, Figueroa faces a life sentence, with no early release, requiring him to serve 85 percent of his sentence. He also faces an additional 10 to 20 years for the witness.
The case was prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Martha Nye, and Figueroa is represented by John Sheehy of Toms River.
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