OCPO CALLS FOR EXTENDED IMPRISONMENT IN ARMED ROBBERY GUILTY VERDICT

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Michael Allan Guerino, 53, of Toms River, NJ, was found guilty of 1^st Degree Armed Robbery, 3^rd Degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, 3^rd Degree Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, 4^th Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and 4^th Degree Theft yesterday (10/25) before the Honorable Therese A. Cunningham, J.S.C.

Guerino’s guilty verdict stems from his Armed Robbery of the Dollar Tree in Toms River on January 29, 2016.  During the course of the trial, the jurors heard that the defendant entered the Dollar Tree on Hooper Avenue at approximately 9:40 pm.  He was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and gloves.  The defendant approached the 24-year-old female cashier and threw a candy bar on the counter by the register, feigning an attempt to purchase it.  As the cashier attempted to ring up the sale, the defendant walked around the back of the register and pulled a knife.  As the defendant pressed the knife into the cashier’s back, he demanded she open the register and threatened to “stick” her if she tried to call for help.  The cashier was unable to open the register, causing the defendant to rip the cash drawer out of the register.  He then fled the area with $234.96 and the cash register drawer.

The Toms River Police Department quickly developed Guerino as a suspect.  Their investigation would result in Toms River Police executing a search warrant of 48 Gower Court, Toms River, where the defendant resided.  Inside, the police found evidence of clothing worn by the defendant on the night of the Robbery.  That evidence, along with the identification of the defendant as the perpetrator by the victim, the female cashier, was presented to the jury of 9 women and 3 men.  It took the jury approximately 3 hours to return a guilty verdict in all five (5) counts of the indictment.

The case was prosecuted by Ocean County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Michael Abatemarco.  Toms River Police Detectives Steven Bucci, Patrick Jacques and Louis Santora all testified at the trial.  Additionally, the jury heard testimony from Toms River Police Officers Matthew Broderick and Anthony Claps, along with Ocean County Sheriff’s Officer Ralph Laudicina.

The defendant’s sentencing is scheduled for December 15.  At that time, the State will seek an extended term of imprisonment for Guerino, who has over 30 prior convictions, making the defendant eligible for a life term.