December 19, 2016
Two men were arrested Sunday in connection with the armed robbery of a South Jersey motel, authorities said.
Matthew Lynch, 26, of Galloway, and Emanuel Heath, 22, of Pleasantville, were apprehended a short time after the incident, which left the owner injured, the Galloway Township Police Department announced.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. Sunday at the Tri-Way Motel at 248 E. White Horse Pike in Atlantic County.
Police said Lynch and Heath were wearing white masks when they entered the motel's lobby with a rifle and a tire iron. The two are accused of assaulting the owner and stealing undisclosed items before fleeing the area.
The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was treated at the scene.
A short time later, responding officers located Lynch, Heath and an unidentified female inside a car about a block away. The vehicle allegedly had a fake license plate and duct tape over all exterior markings.
An officer approached the vehicle and allegedly observed a white mask under the driver's seat. According to police, a search of the vehicle uncovered the stolen items, a tire iron, latex gloves and another mask. A rifle was allegedly found near the vehicle, but it was not loaded.
Lynch and Heath were each charged with robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a weapon for unlawful purpose, possession of an unlicensed assault firearm, possession of a large capacity ammunition magazine, possession of other weapon, burglary, theft and aggravated assault.
Both were sent to Atlantic County Justice Facility on $250,000 bail.
