18-YEAR-OLD BAYONNE MAN CHARGED WITH ROBBERY AGGRAVATED ASSAULT AND THEFT

     Yassine G. Rahi Was Charged Last Thursday With Luring A Man In Facebook Scam Who Thought He Was Buying A PlayStation 5 Only To Be Roobed.”

Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 3:30 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

MOONACHIE, NJ.- An 18-Year-Old Bayonne, New Jersey man was Taken into Custody and Formally Charged in connection with The March 20, 2024, Robbery and Aggravated Assault of a man who thought he was purchasing a PlayStation 5 Video Game Console.

     According to Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, shortly before 5:00 p.m., Members of The Moonachie Police Department responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a Pedestrian Hit-and-Run on Avenue C in Moonachie.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a 22-Year-Old Unidentified Individual with Serious Bodily Injury who had been Struck by an Unknown Suspect operating a Motor Vehicle that sped from the scene after Luring and Robbing the Victim during a pre-arranged Facebook Market Place Transaction. During the initial investigation, Police Officers learned that the Victim met with The Suspect intending to purchase a PlayStation 5 Video Gaming Console.

     During an ensuing investigation, Detectives of The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and The Moonachie Police Department uncovered a Pattern of Unsolved Facebook Market Place Robberies throughout The Northern New Jersey Area that involved Fake Facebook Accounts selling PlayStation 5 Video Consoles. The user of The Facebook Accounts would advertise the sale of the Video Game System and arrange a meeting. When it came time for the in-person transaction, The Suspect would Rob the Victims of their Money intended for the purchase of The Video Game Console.

     A joint investigation by Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies in Northern New Jersey led by The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit was able to identify Yassine G. Rahi, 18, of Bayonne, New Jersey as The Suspect, who Roobed the Victim of $275.00 and Struck the Victim with his Vehicle as he was Fleeing the Scene.

     Following the investigation, on Thursday, April 4, 2024, Mr. Rahi was Arrested in Bayonne, New Jersey by Detectives of The Bergen County Major Crimes Unit, The Moonachie Police Department, The Ridgefield Park Police Department, and The Guttenberg Police Department. Following his Arrest, Rahi was Formally Charged with First Degree Robbery; Second Degree Aggravated Assault; Third Degree Aggravated Assault; Third Degree Leaving the Scene of an Accident Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury; Third Degree Endangering an Injured Victim; and Fourth Degree Theft by Unlawful Taking. Rahi was also issued Multiple Motor Vehicle Summonses.

     Rahi was Processed on The Charges and was Remanded to The Bergen County Jail. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has Filed a Pretrial Detention Motion to have Rahi Detained pending Trial.

     The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional Charges are expected to be Filed in other Jurisdictions.

     “I want to take this opportunity to remind all residents of Bergen County about the importance of exercising caution and vigilance when engaging in online transactions,” said Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. “While various online platforms offer a convenient way to buy and sell property, they also present opportunities for exploration by dishonest individuals. If you must use social media or an online platform to arrange a transaction, meet at a ‘Safe Exchange Zone,’ which is a designated area that is usually equipped with security cameras and may be offered at your local police department.”

“The Rules Of The Court Requires Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merly Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt.”