MAYS LANDING – An Atlantic City man has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison for the armed robbery of a convenience store one year ago, acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
On Monday, Mar. 31, Matthew Bumpers, 24, received a 15-year prison sentence for the Feb. 12, 2013 armed robbery of the 24/7 Food Mart located on the 1300 block of Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City.
On the evening of Feb. 12, 2013, Bumpers and an unidentified accomplice entered the Food Mart, assaulted the cashier and demanded money while holding him at gunpoint. The defendants then robbed the store, stealing approximately $200 in cash, cigarettes and a cell phone. The defendants damaged the store landline to prevent the victim from notifying police before fleeing the scene.
The victim’s co-worker, who was at the company’s neighboring store one block away, saw the robbery taking place on the joint-surveillance system. The co-worker raced to the scene and chased both assailants from the store. When the robbers ran in separate directions, the co-worker continued to chase Bumpers until he boarded a Jitney. The co- worker then followed the Jitney in his car and called 9-1-1 to report the robbery.
An Atlantic City Police officer on patrol observed Bumpers exit the Jitney while being pursued by the co-worker. The co-worker flagged down the officer who, after a brief pursuit, located Bumpers hiding under a deck, and arrested him. Bumpers’ accomplice was never found or identified.
The jury convicted Bumpers of first-degree armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, after 30 minutes of deliberation.
Today, Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Albert Garafolo sentenced Bumpers to 15 years of incarceration in New Jersey State prison. Pursuant to the No Early Release Act (NERA), Bumpers must serve 12 years and 9 months before becoming eligible for parole.
Assistant Prosecutor Emily Bell represented the State in the matter.
Anyone with information involving serious crimes is asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Web site at http://www.acpo.org/tips.html and provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page. People can also call Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers Website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.
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