Suspect Charged After Early-Morning Holdup; No Injuries Reported
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BERLIN TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A 42-year-old West Berlin, New Jersey, man has been arrested and jailed, after being charged in connection with a robbery at a McDonald’s restaurant in Berlin Township early Friday morning, authorities announced.
Camden County Prosecutor Grace C. MacAulay and Berlin Township Police Chief Michael FitzGibbon reported that the incident occurred on Friday, February 13, 2026, at approximately 6:39 a.m., at the McDonald’s located in the 200 block of Route 73 in the Township.
According to investigators, officers from the Berlin Township Police Department responded to the restaurant following a report of a robbery in progress. Upon arrival, officers learned that a masked suspect entered the establishment and demanded U.S. currency from employees.
Authorities identified the suspect as 42-year-old William Alvarado Jr. of West Berlin. During the robbery, Alvarado allegedly kept his hands inside the pocket of his sweatshirt, causing employees to believe he was armed with a firearm. No weapon was displayed during the incident.
After receiving cash from the employees, the suspect fled the restaurant on foot. No injuries were reported, and no firearms were recovered at the scene, officials said.
Following the robbery, Detectives from the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Berlin Township Police Department launched a joint investigation. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from multiple locations in the area, which allowed them to track the suspect’s movements from the restaurant to a vehicle and ultimately to his residence in West Berlin, New Jersey.
Alvarado was taken into custody without incident and charged with one count of second-degree Robbery. He was remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility, where he remains pending a future court hearing.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with additional information to come forward. Tips can be directed to Detective Michael Manning of the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (856) 365-3246, or to Detective Lieutenant David Childs of the Berlin Township Police Department at (856) 767-5878, ext. 214. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through CAMDEN.TIPS.
As with all criminal matters, officials emphasized that charges are accusations only. All individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Editor’s Note:
This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on official statements released by the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office and the Berlin Township Police Department. Details are subject to change as the investigation and judicial process continue. Englebrook Independent News will update this report as additional verified information becomes available.
