Charles Johnson, 28, of Irvington, faces federal charges of Hobbs Act Robbery, according to New Jersey U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
An Irvington man was charged with the armed robberies of three separate Elizabeth pharmacies for oxycodone and other prescription medication while threatening to shoot people in the stores, authorities said Friday.along with counts of using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, New Jersey U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement.
Johnson committed the holdups in June and July, using a similar modus operandi in the case, according to court documents. He allegedly wore a mask, displayed a gun and demanded that pharmacy workers hand over oxycodone, promethazine and other medication during the holdups. In court documents, a Union County Prosecutor’s Office detective working with the FBI wrote that investigators identified a vehicle used in the crimes that was registered to someone Johnson knew, and recovered surveillance footage that linked him to the crimes along with other evidence.
Under the Hobbs Act, prosecutors can bring federal charges for crimes that interfere with interstate commerce.