Eatontown Shooter Captured in NYC

photo via AllTownPharmacy.com

The man suspected of shooting at police officers during an armed robbery at a Eatontown pharmacy on Tuesday has been apprehended in New York City.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced that Aaron Riley, 31 of Wedgewood Circle in Eatontown, has been charged with two counts of first degree Attempted Murder, and one count each of first degree Armed Robbery, second degree Certain Persons not to have a Weapon and second degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Eatontown police responded to a pair of 911 calls around 6:43 p.m. Tuesday reporting an armed robbery in progress at the AllTown Pharmacy on Wyckoff Road. While the officers were responding, Riley was inside the pharmacy demanding prescription narcotics from an employee. Eatontown police arrived on scene with the suspect inside the pharmacy, but he soon after fled the scene out a rear door without any narcotics.

While Riley was fleeing the scene on foot, he fired at Eatontown police officers, one of whom returned fired. Riley then ran to a vehicle in the Michael’s Plaza parking lot and was seen fleeing the scene on Route 36 West. During the investigation, police located the vehicle, a gray four-door 2007 Nissan Altima in the rear parking lot of Stony Hill Apartments with damage consistent with projectile strikes from a gun.

Monmouth County detectives subsequently received information from the New York Police Department that Riley was in their jurisdiction with a gunshot injury to his leg. The investigation continued in New York City, where Riley was eventually taken into custody by New York City police officers and where he currently remains in custody. Bail was set at $1.45 million with no 10 percent and Riley was also ordered to have no victim contact and not to return to the scene by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman, P.J.Cr.

There is an on-going investigation and anyone with information is urged to contact Detective Brian Weisbrot of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous, but has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website atwww.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.