Cardio, Radio Help West Deptford Police Thwart Heritage's Robbery

Thanks to quick feet and teamwork, a pair of West Deptford police officers helped capture a Blackwood, NJ man who allegedly attempted to rob a National Park convenience store on Sunday.

At 3:50 p.m. on September 9, West Deptford Ptl. Frank Mullin was the first to respond to a call for aid from Westville police in an armed robbery at the Heritage’s store on Hessian Ave.

Dispatchers described the suspect as a tall, white male wearing a hoodie an a backwards-facing ball cap. 

As Mullin arrived, a man matching that description walked out of the store, looked at him, and headed in the opposite direction.

Mullin announced his presence, ordered the suspect to stop, and quickly found himself in a foot race with the man through fences in the backyards of homes along Hessian Avenue.

As both Mullin and the suspect hurdled a chain-link fence in the 700 block of Hessian Ave., the officer saw a dark-colored handgun fall from the man's waistband to the ground.

Meanwhile, West Deptford Ofcr. Joseph Facchine, who was also responding to the scene, turned down Luther Ave. in his patrol vehicle to cut off the suspect. 

Facchine then left his vehicle and ordered the suspect down to his knees in the backyard of 716 Hessian Ave.

The suspect complied, was placed into custody and turned over to Westville Police; his handgun was determined to be a fake.

The man, who initially provided a false name to police, was later determined to be Christopher Dicerbo, 28 years old, of Blackwood. 

Dicerbo was charged with armed robbery, attempted armed robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, terroristic threats, hindering apprehension, and obstruction of justice.

All information provided by West Deptford Police. An arrest is not a conviction.