Alloway Township, Salem County, N.J.  – On Sunday, January 6th, troopers from the Woodstown Station responded to an attempted armed robbery at Bud’s Market, 6 East Main Street.   An employee of Bud’s Market told troopers that two males walked in, brandished a firearm, and demanded money.  After a brief struggle with the cashier, they fled the store without receiving anything.

A review of video surveillance by troopers showed two subjects, wearing hooded sweatshirts pointing a gun at the cashier.  Surveillance video confirmed that a brief struggle ensued and the suspects quickly fled the suspects were observed getting in a maroon car with Pennsylvania license plates.

On Monday January 7th, investigators sent a bulletin to law enforcement agencies in Salem County providing details about the armed robbery, including the vehicle information.  Various motor vehicle database checks were conducted, which led investigators to a 1998 red Mercury sedan, in which David Berenato, 19, of Salem City, was issued a motor vehicle summons in 2012.

Detectives from the New Jersey State Police Troop A Criminal Investigations Office, Salem County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Salem County Sheriff’s Office located the vehicle in the rear of a residence in Salem City.

David Berenato was found inside the residence.  Evidence of the crime was obtained, and he was charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. 

Additional interviews and investigations led detectives to the second suspect, a 16 year old boy from Salem City.  He was also arrested and charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and certain person not to possess a weapon.

David Berenato was lodged in the Salem County Jail with bail set at $200,000.  The juvenile was lodged in the Burlington County Juvenile Detention Center.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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David Berenato