UPDATE: Arrest Made in Gas Station Robberies

A collaborative effort between Collingswood and Cherry Hill law enforcement, police said, led to a suspect's arrest for his alleged involvement in a string of recent gas station robberies.

According to police, two incidents in Collingswood—a Route 130 at knifepoint for $400 on May 26, and a robbery and assault occurred at the Route 130 Gulf station on May 29—appeared similar to a string of robberies that occurred in Cherry Hill.

According to reports, Cherry Hill Township Police contacted on Thursday, June 2 with news of a suspect in custody. 

"We first received notification from Cherry Hill police that a suspect had been developed," said Collingswood Police Lt. Glenn A. Prince. "A short time later, (Cherry Hill) contacted us again, saying they had the suspect in custody."

Cherry Hill police reportedly remanded the suspect, 23-year-old Cherry Hill man Justin Hoch, to county jail on June 2. 

On June 3, Prince said Collingswood law enforcement spoke with Hoch, who allegedly admitted his involvement in both borough robberies. 

"Collingswood Police Department's Detective Bureau interviewed Hoch, who admitted his involvement in two Route 130 gas station robberies here, and provided us with a detailed statement (of his involvement)," said Prince. 

In the Valero robbery, police said Hoch was charged with robbery of the first degree, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Police reports said the Valero robbery occurred at 11:10 p.m. May 26, when a man in a ski mask entered the station through a rear, wooded lot, wielding a knife. The knife was reported to have a 4-inch long blade. After demanding money from an attendant, the man took $400 in cash and fled the scene. 

In the Gulf station robbery, police charged Hoch with robbery, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes.

Police said the Gulf robbery occurred at 9:19 p.m. on May 29, when a man approached a gas station attendant, demanding money. When the victim refused to turn over cash, the perpetrator reportedly assaulted the man with a wooden stick and fled the scene, taking no money.

Hoch's charges in both of the borough robberies were scheduled for a hearing in Camden City's Central Judicial Processing (CJP) court at 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 10. 

After being charged, Hoch was reportedly unable to post his required, $275,000 full-cash bail. Police said Hoch was remanded to county jail, pending his June 10 hearing.

"As a result of the coordinated efforts (between Cherry Hill and Collingswood police departments), we were able to make this arrest," Prince said.