Defendant Admits To Handgun Assault At Local Park And Separate Armed Robbery Incident

Monday, February 23, 2026, 7:10 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ.- A Berkeley Township man has admitted his role in two separate violent crimes, pleading guilty to aggravated assault and robbery stemming from incidents that occurred in 2024 and 2025, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.

     Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Friday, February 20, 2026, Shakim Varick, 23, of Berkeley Township, New Jersey, entered guilty pleas before the Honorable Kenneth T. Palmer, J.S.C., in Ocean County Superior Court.

     Varick pled guilty to Aggravated Assault in connection with a May 30, 2024, incident in Berkeley Township and, in a separate and unrelated matter, also pled guilty to Robbery arising from an armed incident that occurred on January 13, 2025, also in Berkeley Township.

Sentencing Recommendation And Prison Exposure;

     At the time of sentencing, scheduled for April 17, 2026, the State will seek a sentence of 18 months in New Jersey State Prison with an 18-month period of parole ineligibility on the aggravated assault conviction. In addition, prosecutors will seek a 10-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison on the robbery conviction.

     The sentence imposed for the robbery offense will be subject to the provisions of the No Early Release Act, which requires Varick to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Prosecutors confirmed that the sentences are expected to run concurrently, meaning they would be served at the same time.

Details Of The May 30, 2024, Aggravated Assault;

     The aggravated assault charge stems from an incident that occurred at approximately 10:00 p.m. on May 30, 2024, at the basketball courts located on Third Avenue in the Manitou Park section of Berkeley Township.

Police Officers from the Berkeley Township Police Department were dispatched to the scene following a report of an aggravated assault involving a handgun. An investigation conducted by responding officers revealed that the victim was present at the basketball courts when another individual approached and pointed a firearm directly at him.

     Further investigation identified Varick as the individual responsible for threatening the victim with the handgun. On June 17, 2024, Varick was taken into custody without incident at his residence in South Toms River. He was served with the aggravated assault charge by summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.

January 13, 2025, Armed Robbery Incident;

     The robbery conviction arises from a separate incident that occurred on January 13, 2025, in the area of the Eastern Soccer Complex in Berkeley Township.

     According to authorities, Police Officers responded to the location following a report of an armed robbery. Investigators determined that the victim had arranged to meet an individual at the soccer complex to complete a business transaction. When the individual arrived, he allegedly brandished a handgun, demanded additional money, and threatened the victim with serious bodily harm if the victim failed to comply.

     The victim fled the scene for safety and immediately contacted police. A continuing investigation led officers to identify Varick as the individual who threatened and robbed the victim at gunpoint.

     Later that same day, Varick was arrested without incident at his residence and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has remained detained since January 13, 2025.

Case Resolution;

     Prosecutor Billhimer credited the Berkeley Township Police Department with conducting thorough investigations in both cases, leading to the identification, arrest, and successful prosecution of the defendant.

     Varick remains incarcerated pending sentencing in Ocean County Superior Court in Toms River, New Jersey.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, Executive Editor, and is based on official statements and court proceedings released by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Sentencing outcomes remain subject to judicial determination at the April 17, 2026, hearing.