Montgomery Police Arrest Lawrence Twp Man for Armed Robbery—Search Continues for Accomplices

By Barbara A. Preston l May 3, 2021

Montgomery Township police arrested an 18-year-old Lawrence Township man in connection to an armed robbery in the area of Lancaster Court in the Pike Run Village section Montgomery Township, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office announced on Monday, May 3.

Police arrested George C. Battle 4th, age 18, of Drewes Court, Lawrence Township on April 28 in relation to a robbery that occurred on Sunday, January 17. Somerset County Prosecutor Michael H. Robertson, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of County Detectives John W. Fodor andDirector /Captain James M. Gill announced the arrest.

The victim, a juvenile who does not live in Montgomery Township, told police on January 25 that he had made arrangements to meet with an individual through a social media application to conduct a narcotic transaction in Montgomery on Sunday, January 17 at 6:30 pm. Why the rendezvous point was in Montgomery is unknown.

Upon arrival, the victim said a male entered the passenger seat of his vehicle and pointed a gun at him while a second male entered the rear seat of his vehicle and demanded his wallet, cellular phone, car keys, and hat. The two male suspects physically removed the victim from his vehicle and ordered him into a silver BMW sedan driven by a female suspect.

George C. Battle 4th

The male suspect with the gun hit the victim over the head with the butt of the gun and a ski mask was placed over the victim’s head. The victim was driven to a nearby ATM where he was instructed to withdraw money. The victim withdrew $420 and handed it over to the suspects.

Detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and

Montgomery Township Police Department conducted an investigation into the robbery. As a result of this investigation, Battle was identified as one of the individuals involved in the robbery.

Police arrested Battle on Wednesday, April 28 without incident. The investigation remains on-going into the identification of additional suspects.

Prosecutor Robertson said Battle has been charged with 1st-degree Armed Robbery; 2nd-degree Unlawful Possession of a Handgun; 2nd-degree Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery; and 2nd-degree Luring. Battle was lodged at the Somerset County Jail pending a bail detention hearing in this matter.

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Prosecutor Robertson, Chief Fodor and Police Director/Captain Gill request anyone with information relating to this robbery to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Major Crimes Unit at 908.231.7100 or the Montgomery Township Police Department at 908.359.3222 or via the STOPit app.

The STOPit app allows citizens to provide anonymous reports including videos and photos. STOPit can be downloaded to your smart phone for free at the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, access code: SOMERSETNJ. Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 888.577.TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.