OLD BRIDGE, NJ – On August 16, Old Bridge Police released additional information regarding an armed robbery that occurred in 2021 at a local check cashing business.

The business robbed was Old Bridge Check Cashers on Englishtown Road, police said. (So far, the name of the business has not been released.)

On November 6, 2021, the business was robbed at gunpoint by two Brooklyn men, according to this press release from U.S. Attorneys. Police say the two men displayed a gun, demanded cash, and bound the employees with zip ties. Ramel Harris, 42, of Brooklyn, and Neville Brown, 40, of Brooklyn, robbed three check cashing businesses in New Jersey during this time period, stealing over $578,000 in proceeds from all three.

Between January 2, 2021, and September 3, 2022, they broke into three check cashing locations in New Jersey: Hackettstown, Parsippany-Troy Hills, and Old Bridge; four in New York State: Bronx, Rockland (Nanuet), Westchester (West Chester), Kings County on Long Island, and two in Pennsylvania, West Chester, and Allentown.

Old Bridge Police Detective Michael Cronin investigated the Old Bridge incident and worked with the FBI as the crime spree spanned three states. Police obtained video surveillance footage that ultimately linked Harris and Brown to the robberies. Cell phone records show that Harris’ and Brown’s cell phones were at the locations of the various robberies at the time of the robberies.

After a months-long investigation that included search warrants and DNA testing, Harris and Brown were identified and charged with the crimes on September 3, 2022.

Both men pleaded guilty last Wednesday, August 14. Their sentencing is scheduled for December 17.