Robbery at Knifepoint Leads to Out-of-State Arrests

A Florida man caught on security camera footage inside Bill's Auto Repairs in Colts Neck in December is accused of robbing the garage at knifepoint, according to Colts Neck police.

Ivan Lopez, 64 of Jacksonville, Fla. was arrested this week and charged with the robbery. Lopez allegedly entered Bill's Auto Repairs on Dec. 15 and pointed a kitchen knife at a victim, demanding a cell phone and money. Lopez also allegedly claimed he had a gun.

Security footage in the garage on Dec. 14 circulated via Facebook and was labeled as someone "casing" the business. The man in the footage was confirmed to be Ivan Lopez, according to Chief Kevin Sauter in Colts Neck.

Lopez allegedly worked with a co-conspirator, named in the arrest record as Julio Lopez. Colts Neck Police said Julio was arrested in connection with the robbery on Jan. 4 of this year after a motor vehicle stop in Maryland.

Julio was charged with multiple counts of armed robber and conspiracy to commit robbery, according to Colts Neck police. He is currently being held at the NJ Central Reception and Assignment Facility in Trenton in lieu of $350,000 bail.

Ivan Lopez was arrested in Jacksonville and charged with multiple armed robbery and weapons charges filed in Colts Neck, according to police. He is being held in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of a $400,000 cash only bail with no 10 percent option.