TEANECK, N.J. — Bergen County detectives and SWAT officers arrested three Paterson men Tuesday in a coordinated operation targeting suspects accused of turning a late-night THC deal in Teaneck into an armed robbery.
The arrests followed a nearly two-month investigation into an Aug. 23 incident in which three men allegedly pulled guns on a buyer, stole his cash and cellphone and demanded additional money through a mobile banking app, according to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella.
The suspects were identified as Zamair Johnson, 23, Zaier Jones, 24, and Jaden Nickels, 25, all of Paterson.
Detectives from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, assisted by the Bergen County Regional SWAT Team, executed search warrants Tuesday at the suspects' homes in Paterson and a Wayne hotel where Johnson and Nickels were staying.
All three were arrested without incident.
The arrests stemmed from a drug deal that went sideways shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23.
The victim had arranged to meet an acquaintance in Teaneck to purchase THC cartridges.
But the acquaintance arrived in a dark-colored vehicle with two other men.
When the buyer climbed inside, all three allegedly pointed firearms at him, stole his cash and threatened him while demanding additional money through a mobile banking app, prosecutors said.
The suspects also allegedly took his cellphone before he managed to escape the vehicle.
The three fled before police were notified.
The subsequent investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and Teaneck Police Department identified the suspects, leading to criminal charges authorized Monday, Oct. 19.
Each man faces first-degree robbery, three second-degree weapons charges, third-degree terroristic threats and fourth-degree aggravated assault by pointing a firearm.
Johnson, Jones and Nickels were taken to the Bergen County Jail pending their first appearances in Bergen County Superior Court in Hackensack.
The charges are accusations, and all three defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
