The Stafford Township Police Department has arrested Gustavo Javier Franco Carballo 24 years old from Beach Haven, New Jersey after an intense, two day investigation for a reported Attempted Robbery at BJ’S Wholesale Club. BJ’s is located on Martin Truex Jr. Boulevard, Manahawkin, N.J. The incident occurred on Monday, June 20th, 2016 at 8:16 PM.
The investigation revealed Carballo had parked his 2007 PT Cruiser next to the victim’s vehicle. At some point, when the victim was in BJ’s or after she had unloaded her groceries into her vehicle and was returning her shopping cart to the cart stall, Carballo entered into the rear of her vehicle. He then waited for her to return. When she entered her vehicle’s front seat, Carballo choked and used a Taser on the victim, but she was able to fight him off and escape from her vehicle. She alerted several witnesses and a 911 call was made. Carballo then fled the area.
After reviewing surveillance tapes from surrounding businesses, Detective Stephen Fessler was able to identify Carballo and his vehicle, and he was located in Beach Haven.
Carballo is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $150,000 bail. He is charged with Armed Robbery and Burglary, but additional charges are anticipated.
Additionally, Carballo is an undocumented immigrant and notification has been made to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.
The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by Detective Stephen Fessler of the Stafford Township Police Department assisted by other members of the Stafford Township Detective Bureau.
Assistance was also provided by the New Jersey State Police, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
If anyone has additional information regarding this incident, please contact the Stafford Township Police Department at (609) 597-8581.