December 20, 2022

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Lawrence Township Police report that pn November 9, 2022 at approximately 9:56 p.m., Lawrence Police Officers responded to a fight in progress inside the QuickChek located at 303 Brunswick Circle Extension, Lawrenceville, NJ.

On scene investigation revealed a 25-year-old victim was assaulted inside the store and his cell phone and cash were stolen during the altercation. After the robbery, the suspects exited the store and fled the area with the stolen property. The victim suffered serious bodily injury during the physical altercation.

Through the investigation led by Lawrence Township Police Detective Sean Kerins, the suspects were identified as Breon Phelps, 23-years-old of Trenton, NJ and Anthony Bethea, 21-years-old of Trenton NJ. The incident stemmed from a verbal argument between the victim and suspects days prior in Trenton, NJ.

On December 8, 2022, Anthony Bethea was taken into custody and charged with Robbery (second degree), Aggravated Assault (second degree) and Theft (third degree). On December 19, 2022, Breon Phelps was taken into custody and charged with Robbery (second degree), Aggravated Assault (second degree) and Theft (third degree). Phelps and Bethea have been transported to the Mercer County Correctional Center awaiting a Detention Hearing.

The Lawrence Township Police Department was assisted by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and the Trenton Police Department.

** Despite having been charged, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. **

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