Police in East Rutherford, New Jersey say that juvenile complaints are pending against two teenagers, while two young adults are charged with robbing a pizza joint December 12. Police arrested all four people last week on allegations that the four entered a Papa John's restaurant in East Rutherford and demanded cash and cellphones from patrons and employees in the restaurant.

Law enforcement says that three women and a man entered the restaurant December 12. Employees claim that two of the women wore scarves on their heads to conceal their faces. The workers claim that the male had a gun, while two of the three women carried knives.

Authorities accuse the four people arrested last week of armed robbery for the alleged incident on the twelfth. Police claim that the group ordered everyone to get on the floor and demanded cash and cellphones from the people in the restaurant. Police say that the male demanded that the restaurant manager open the cash register and hand over the money. Authorities say that $585 was taken from the register.

Police say that four people left the restaurant in a Honda Civic. After opening an investigation, police apparently began to suspect that a 20-year-old woman was involved. Authorities announced Monday that the 20-year-old and her 21-year-old boyfriend were arrested at their home last week and face charges of armed robbery.

The two adults were booked in the Bergen County Jail with bail set at $132,500. Two juvenile females, a 16- and a 17-year-old are now also suspected. Authorities say that juvenile petitions are pending.

Any juvenile theft charge can have long-lasting direct and collateral consequences. Not all robberies necessarily involve allegations of weapons. However, a charge of armed robbery can certainly raise the stakes for a juvenile accused of being involved in such an incident. It is important for juveniles and their parents to consider speaking with a New Jersey juvenile defense lawyer as soon as possible after allegations arise to help protect the rights of the juvenile in the justice system.

Source: NJ.com, "Four charged in armed robbery of East Rutherford Papa John's," Myles Ma, Dec. 17, 2012