Police: Highland Park Man, Youth, Charged With Robbing Food Delivery Person

Ernest James.
Photo: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

A 31-year-old Highland Park man and an unidentified youth face charges stemming from the alleged June 12 holdup of a food delivery person with a fake handgun.

Police said Ernest James of Highland Park and the youth confronted a food delivery person at about 9:37 p.m. on Canterbury Circle. The juvenile, police said, was wearing a mask and carrying what was thought to be a handgun. James, police said, was wearing a bandana around his neck.

The two demanded the delivery person’s money and food, police said. The victim dropped the food and ran, later calling police.

Township police, assisted by the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Squad and a New Jersey State Police K-9 Tracking Unit, police were able to determine that the suspects were inside 39 Canterbury, police said.

Police said the owner of the home consented to a search, after which the youth and James were found. Also found were the fake handgun, the mask, the bandana and the food.

James was charged with 1st Degree Robbery and Use of a Minor to Commit a Criminal Offense, 4th Degree Possession of an Imitation Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. He is lodged in the Somerset County Jail in Somerville. The juvenile was remanded to the Middlesex County Detention Center and was charged with 1st Degree Robbery, and 4th Degree Possession of an Imitation Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

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