NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ–A second already-incarcerated man has been charged in connection with a February 2 home invasion robbery that police now say they believe to be a drug deal gone wrong.
New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) detectives identified Devonta Bethea, a 20-year-old man from Camden, as the second suspect in a robbery that occurred during a “pre-arranged meeting” with a resident at an apartment on Morrell Street.
According to authorities, Bethea and Jerome Powell robbed the resident at gunpoint after being invited into the apartment.
“The victim alleges he was attempting to sell an Xbox to the suspects when they robbed him,” reads the police press release.  “However further police investigation suggests a prearranged sale of marijuana between the victim and the suspects was the actual catalyst which brought the suspects to the victim’s home.”
On Monday, February 23, NBPD detectives served charges to Bethea, who was already arrested and jailed on unrelated charges in Camden County.
The new charges include: robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.Â
“Detectives continue to investigate as additional charges may follow,” reads the release.
Camden County Police did not respond to a phone message left by New Brunswick Today.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
