One of the more bizarre stories to emerge this week from Superior Court in Morristown involves a couple accused of robbing a man on Morris Street by threatening to unleash their pit bull on him.
The Daily Record reported that Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Joseph D’Onofrio is considering upgrading charges against the suspects, under the theory that the dog could be considered a weapon as lethal as a gun or car:
“It could be a first-degree robbery. A pit bull could qualify as a deadly weapon,” D’Onofrio said.
Amanda L. Caravaglia, 23, of Morris Township, and her fiance, Edwin David Rivera Jr., 23, of Randolph have been charged with second-degree robbery in connection with the Sept. 12 incident.
A 25-year-old male identified as “A.J.” told Morristown police the couple summoned him to their car at 9:30 pm and threatened to turn loose their brown and white pit bull if he didn’t fork over his cash and cell phone, according to press accounts.
Superior Court Judge Robert Gilson raised bail from $5,000 to $20,000 for the couple while the Prosecutor’s Office decides whether to press the stiffer charge, which could carry a 20-year jail terms upon conviction, the newspaper reported.
