Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 18, 2024, Christopher Hurley, 27, of Little Egg Harbor, pled guilty to Robbery before the Honorable Kimarie Rahill, J.S.C., in connection with an incident that occurred in Berkeley Township on February 5, 2022. At the time of his sentencing on June 7, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of 12 years New Jersey State Prison, subject to the terms of the No Early Release Act.
On February 5, 2022, Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the Rite Aid Pharmacy on Route 9 for a report of an armed robbery. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect entered the store, brandished a knife at the cashier, and demanded money. The store staff surrendered the cash drawer to the suspect, who then fled the scene. Berkeley Township Detectives conducted an extensive investigation and were able to identify Hurley as the individual responsible for robbing the Rite Aid on February 5th. Berkeley Township Detectives also determined that Hurley had been arrested by Officers from Toms River Township Police Department on an unrelated charge on February 22, 2022, and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail. Hurley was thereafter served with the Berkeley Township robbery complaint at the Ocean County Jail on February 25, 2022. Hurley presently remains lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting sentence.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Berkeley Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Toms River Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this matter leading to Hurley’s apprehension, guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.