Crime & Safety

Man Charged in Armed Robbery of Bridgewater Woman

N. Plainfield resident accused of home invasion on Dartmouth Ave.

A North Plainfield resident was arrested Wednesday in connection with the alleged armed robbery of a 42-year-old Dartmouth Avenue resident, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Dwan Koonce, 25, was charged with first-degree armed robbery, second-degree burglary, third-degree terroristic threats and third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

Acting Somerset County Prosecutor Peter DeMarco said Bridgewater Township Police responded Tuesday to a call of a home invasion and armed robbery at about 11:15 a.m. The female resident of the house said an individual broke into her residence while she was sleeping, DeMarco said.

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According to DeMarco, the resident reported that when she got out of bed, she found a man, whom she later identified as Koonce, sitting in her living room and watching pornography on her computer. Koonce allegedly approached her, DeMarco reported, with a knife and forced her back into the bedroom, allegedly threatening to kill her if she moved.

DeMarco said the victim reported that Koonce demanded she remove her jewelry and give it to him.

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Koonce, DeMarco said, took the victim's jewelry, money, a cell phone and car keys, then allegedly threatened again to kill her if she left her bedroom or looked out the window at him as he left.

When detectives from the Bridgewater Township Police Department were contacted about the incident, DeMarco said, they also called the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Squad for assistance.

According to DeMarco, Koonce was found in the Red Bull Inn, on Route 22, Wednesday morning, and detectives placed him under arrest.

Koonce was taken to Somerset County Jail with bail to be set.

Anyone with information in the incident should contact the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Squad at 908-231-7100 or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers' Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS.

All calls will be kept confidential.


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