NEWARK, NJ — Two men from Hudson County, New Jersey, have admitted their roles in a series of armed gas station robberies and an attempted carjacking, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Wendell Bradley Jr., 27, of Bayonne, and Joseph Brown, 26, of Jersey City, entered guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark federal court. Bradley pleaded guilty to charges including conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, attempted carjacking, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. Brown pleaded guilty to attempted Hobbs Act robbery and Hobbs Act robbery.
Case Details:
From January 3, 2022, to February 4, 2022, Bradley and Brown targeted gas stations, using the same modus operandi. They would drive to a gas station, ask the attendant to fill their car’s tank, and then brandish a firearm to demand money. Notably, on January 20, 2022, in Union, Brown pointed a gun at an attendant and threatened to kill him while Bradley attempted to restrain the attendant, who managed to escape.
Their crime spree concluded on February 4, 2022, following an armed robbery in Secaucus. After fleeing the scene, they were pursued by law enforcement from Secaucus to Newark, where Bradley eventually crashed the getaway vehicle.
Legal Consequences:
- The conspiracy, robbery, and attempted robbery charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
- The carjacking charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
- The firearm possession charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Sentencing for Bradley is set for October 10, 2024, while Brown will be sentenced on October 3, 2024.