Essex County Man Indicted in 2023 Livingston Pharmacy Robbery

Nariq Petes, 26, faces charges for armed robbery of a Livingston pharmacy, allegedly demanding drugs at gunpoint

NEWARK, N.J. — An Essex County man has been indicted in federal court in connection with a gunpoint robbery of a pharmacy in Livingston, New Jersey, in December 2023. Nariq Petes, 26, of Newark, was formally charged in a three-count indictment on October 11, 2024, for his alleged involvement in the armed robbery, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced. The indictment includes charges of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery, Hobbs Act robbery, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

During his arraignment today before U.S. District Judge William J. Martini in Newark, Petes entered a plea of not guilty. He has been detained pending further court proceedings.

Court documents state that on December 30, 2023, Petes and an unnamed accomplice traveled together to a pharmacy in Livingston. Wearing black masks, the two entered the store, where Petes allegedly brandished a firearm and demanded prescription medications. The pair reportedly left the scene with six bottles of prescription drugs.

The Hobbs Act robbery charges each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the financial gain or loss from the crime. The charge related to brandishing a firearm in a violent crime mandates a minimum prison sentence of seven years, with a maximum potential sentence of life, which would be served consecutively to any other sentence.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, under the direction of Acting Special Agent in Charge Nelson I. Delgado, with support from the Livingston Police Department, led by Chief Gary Marshuetz. The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sam Thypin-Bermeo from the OCDETF/Narcotics Unit in Newark.

Authorities stress that the indictment contains accusations, and Petes remains presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.