Police in South Jersey arrested two people in the weeks after an armed liquor store holdup where a gunshot was fired but the alleged getaway driver remained at large.
Florence Township Police announced the arrests Tuesday of Josh Pender, 24, of Vineland and his 16-year-old alleged accomplice in the Aug. 17 robbery of Town Liquor Store.
Investigators said that Pender, the unidentified juvenile and Rachel Lavalle, 24, of Millville all conspired to rob the liquor store. Police said Pender and the teen went into the store while Lavalle waited nearby in a red Honda Odyssey.
Police said that during the robbery attempt Pender fired a shot in the direction of the store clerk that went into the wall. Investigators said that the duo then fled the store empty handed and got into Lavalle’s minivan.
Florence Township Police caught up to the 16-year-old on Aug. 28 as he walked along Hornberger Avenue. Since then he has been held in the Burlington County Juvenile Detention Center on robbery, aggravated assault and weapons charges.
Police then arrested Pender on Saturday. He was held in county jail on robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy and weapons charges unable to post $200,000 bail.
Police asked anyone who knows about Lavalle’s whereabouts to call police at 609-499-3131.
