Florence Twp. Police Seek a Third Suspect in Violent Liquor Store Robbery

Two down, a third to go, in an attempted violent liquor store robbery in Burlington County in August.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's office announced the recent arrest of Josh Pender, 24, of Vineland and a 16-year-old male from Mansfield.

Officials are looking for a third suspect, Rachel Lavalle, 24, of Millville, for her role as the alleged driver.

According to the prosecutor office press release, the Florence Township Police Department Detective Bureau investigation revealed that the two arrested defendants conspired to commit the robbery at the Town Liquor Store in Florence Township along with Lavalle.

The report said that Pender and the juvenile entered the store during the robbery attempt on August 17th and fired one round from a handgun into the wall near the store worker in an attempt to intimidate her into handing over store proceeds. However, no proceeds were acquired by the defendants who fled in a red Honda Odyssey that was parked on Wallace Avenue with Ms. Lavalle.

"The juvenile was taken into custody on August 28th while walking on Hornberger Avenue by the Florence Township Police Department and is in the Burlington county Juvenile Detention Center on robbery, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and weapons charges."

"Pender was arrested on September 6th by the Vineland Police Department after receiving information from the Florence township Police Department Detective Bureau regarding warrants for Pender's arrest. He's in the Burlington County Jail on $200,000 bail on Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and numerous weapons counts."

officials are asking anyone with information about Lavalle's whereabouts or about the incident to call the Florence Twp. Investigative Division at 609-499-3131.