Crime & Safety

Branford Man Charged with Armed Robbery of CVS in New Jersey

Aberdeen Police say he showed pharmacy employees a gun.

A 25-year-old Branford man was charged with the armed robbery of  in New Jersey on South Atlanctic Avenue by on Aug. 3.

Police say that Matthew R. Pagliaro, 25, of Branford went into CVS at about 7:15 p.m. on Friday and approached the pharmacy counter. He allegedly passed a note to an employee saying that he was armed with a gun and was demanding oxycodone pills. Pagliaro then showed the employee the gun, Powers said. He was given the pills and left the store.

Police were called to the scene, where they were given a description of the suspect and the suspect's vehicle, a gray Toyota Prius with Connecticut plates, Powers said. The description was broadcast over the radio, Powers explained, and a volunteer fire official heard the description and noticed the Prius on Church Street. He notified police.

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P.O. Brian Alberti stopped the Prius on Lloyd Road near Drexel Lane and with the assistance of P.O. Frank Maisano and P.O. Matthew McDow, took Pagliaro into custody.

Pagliaro is charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of prescription legend drugs.

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Bail was set at $155,000 with no 10% option and Pagliaro was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in default of bail. The 2007 Prius was seized pending forfeiture proceedings.

Other officers involved in the investigation were Special Officer Michael Scarpa, Sgt. David Mauro, and Sgt. Hank Chevalier.

Pagliaro does not appear to have prior convictions or pending charges in the Connecticut judicial system. 

This story first appeared on Matawan-Aberdeen Patch on Aug. 4. 


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