Alleged Matawan robbers nabbed in Hazlet The Courier, July 24 Posted:07/25/08
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Three Virginia men were arrested last weekend after robbing and shooting at visitors of Clinton Street Park, Matawan.
Kareem Mobarak, 21, of Franklin, Va.; Ezekiel Cohn, 18, of Suffolk, Va.; and Rasheen Malone, 25, of Franklin, Va. arrived at Clinton Street Park to meet up with Mobarak’s family before a trip to New York City, police said.
While waiting in the park around 12:30 a.m. on July 19, a group of people entered the park, where words were exchanged, police said.
Mobarak and Malone allegedly took the victims’ wallets and cell phones, while Cohn waited in the car, police said.
As the two gunmen left the park, at least three shots were fired, police said, but no one was hit.
The Matawan Police Department received a call about fireworks being set off in the park, but upon arrival the officer saw the victims and the shells on the ground, police said.
The Monmouth and Ocean County Intelligence Bureau broadcasted a description of the car and suspects to area departments, Matawan Lt. Ben Smith said.
An officer of the Hazlet Police Department pulled over the suspect’s 2003 tan, four-door Ford about six minutes later near the Quick Chek on Route 36, Smith said.
A .38 caliber Colt detective special and a .45 caliber Hi-Point were found in the vehicle, Smith said.
Police said Mobarak, Cohn and Malone were all charged by Matawan with aggravated assault, robbery, possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Hazlet also charged the three with possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon with an unlawful purpose, Smith said.
As of press time, Mobarak, Malone and Cohn were being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on bail of $350,000, $250,000 and $250,000, respectively, Smith said.
The Matawan Police detective division and command staff worked with the Hazlet Police Department on the case. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office, which was involved with the investigation, did not return calls by press time.
