WILDWOOD— Police have arrested six Cape May County residents involved in an armed robbery at the Wildwood Wawa on Pine Ave, Monday, Jan. 19. Bruce Pearson, 25, of Villas; Amy Bianchino, 31; Ashley Funk, 24, of Cape May Court House; Daniel Maniscalco Sr., 23, of North Cape May; and Kairi Brooks, 24, also of North Cape May were arrested in the early afternoon on Tuesday, Jan. 20. Robert Peterson, 28, of Wildwood, was arrested later in the day after a search warrant was executed at his residence.
At 11:30 p.m. police were called to the Wildwood Wawa after a 26-year-old male had reported that he had been robbed at gunpoint by two black males wearing hooded shirts. The victim said that they stole money, jewelry and two cell phones from him, and had threatened to kill him. After being robbed, the victim saw the two men, along with a white male and a white female, flee the scene in a silver Chevrolet Impala with New Jersey tags. In response, the Cape May County Search Plan was initiated; and at approximately 12:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, a vehicle matching the victim’s description was pulled over by members of the Lower Township Police Department. The car was being driven by two women, who were later found to be involved in the robbery. Officers spotted a handgun under the seat of the car, which was apprehended.
As the investigation progressed, police learned that the incident was a premeditated plan by several people, two of whom are employees of Harbor Furniture Outlet in Burleigh.
All six suspects were charged with armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery. In addition, Peterson was charged with making terroristic threats, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and certain person prohibited from possession of a weapon. Additional weapons charges are pending against Pearson and Maniscalco.
Bail was set for Bianchino, Funk, Pearson and Brooks at $100,000; for Maniscalco at $50,000; and for Peterson at $200,000. All six were taken to the county jail.