NJ store employee, witness detain armed robber

A Plainfield man has been convicted of armed robbery in connection with an incident that took place in April 2015 at a Hamilton convenience store, authorities said Tuesday.

A jury found Luis Flores, 38, guilty of first degree robbery and third degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose following a six-day trial in Somerset County.

The robbery took place April 1, 2015. According to the Somerset County prosecutor's Office, a store employee saw Flores attempting to steal items from the store. When confronted by the employee, Flores pulled out a knife and lunged at the worker, authorities said. A witness in the store helped detain Flores until Bound Brook Police arrived.

When officers responded, they saw the employee and witness trying to retain Flores, who was still holding the knife. Police disarmed the defendant and arrested him, authorities say. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the store employee also sustained abrasions to his hand as a result of the struggle with Flores.

Following the guilty verdict, Flores was remanded to Somerset County Jail. His sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 22, authorities said.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.