March 28, 2010
Morris County Prosecutor Robert A. Bianchi, Esq. along with Parsippany Police Chief Michael Peckerman announce the arrest of two brothers in connection with the robbery of a Parsippany jewelry store.

On Monday, March 22, 2010, a man weighing approximately 300 pounds, 6'2" in height, with scruffy facial hair, wearing a rust colored hooded sweatshirt with the hood over his head allegedly entered Eggers Jewelers located on Route 46 in Parsippany, New Jersey.

This individual allegedly approached the counter placing a dark colored backpack on top of the glass counter where the jewelry is displayed and asked the store employee to look at diamond engagement rings.

The employee began to walk around the counter to where the diamond engagement rings are located when the suspect allegedly drew a black handgun, pointing it at the employee.

The employee was ordered to remove the jewelry from the display case and place it in the backpack. The employee complied and placed an unspecified number of jewelry items in the backpack, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. The suspect then ordered the employee to lie on the floor and count to 100. The suspect left the store and entered a vehicle that was occupied by a second suspect.

The jewelry store employee later determined that 29 rings, five necklaces, and one pair of earrings totaling approximately $21,000.00 in value were taken during the robbery.

Subsequent to this robbery, the Parsippany Police Department Detective Bureau developed information that focused on two suspects.

A joint investigation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, Intelligence Crime Task Force and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section commenced.

As a result of the investigation the below two subjects were arrested:

Defendant #1 - arrested Friday, March 26, 2010

Victor Columbo
Date of birth - March 31, 1978
Residence
Landing, New Jersey

Charges:
Robbery - first degree
Possession of a Weapon (firearm) for Unlawful Purposes - second degree
Unlawful possession of a weapon, to wit a firearm - second degree crime
Theft by Unlawful Taking - third degree
Receiving Stolen Property - third degree
Bail
$150,000

Defendant #2 - arrested Friday, March 26, 2010

Joseph Columbo
Date of birth - September 2, 1972
Residence
Boonton, New Jersey

Charges:
Robbery - first degree
Possession of a Weapon (firearm) for Unlawful Purposes - second degree
Unlawful possession of a weapon, to wit a firearm - second degree crime
Theft by Unlawful Taking - third degree
Receiving Stolen Property - third degree

Bail
$350,000

Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi stated:

"I commend the exhaustive efforts of the Parsippany Police Department in partnership with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, Special Enforcement Unit, Intelligence
Crime Task Force and the Morris County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Section along
with significant legal support from our Assistant Prosecutors.

Their combined efforts led to the swift apprehension of these alleged violent suspects and the recovery of the handgun that was allegedly used during the commission of the robbery as well as the recovery of jewelry proceeds.

This is yet again another example of how success can be achieved to remove violent offenders
from our streets by pooling our investigative and attorney resources to archive a common goal."

The investigation is still ongoing. We ask anyone with information to contact the Parsippany
Police Department at (973) 263-4300, Morris County Prosecutor's Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Morris County Sheriff's Office Crime Stoppers Program at (973) COPCALL.

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found
guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his/her
rights guaranteed by the United States and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.