The Jersey City Police Department arrested two people for an armed robbery and assault at Delta Gas Station at 823 Tonnelle Ave. on Christmas Day, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“This brazen act of violence on Christmas morning was an attack not just on two hardworking individuals, but on our entire community’s sense of safety and security,” Mayor James Solomon said in a statement.
“I commend the outstanding work of our JCPD Cease Fire Unit, Criminal Warrant Squad, and our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to bring these dangerous individuals to justice. While we are grateful these suspects are now off our streets, my thoughts remain with the victims who were traumatized during this violent robbery.”
Jayden Goines, 21, of Newark, is facing weapons possession charges (handgun), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon that caused bodily injury, a robbery that caused bodily injury, and conspiracy, according to Jersey City police.
Additionally, Carmen Martinez, 21, of Union City, is charge with making the threat of robbery, two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, conspiracy, and weapons possession charges (handgun).
“Because of exceptional police work by the JCPD’s Cease Fire Unit and our law enforcement partners, these two violent offenders are now behind bars and removed from our streets, where they can no longer endanger innocent people,” added Acting Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.
On December 25, 2025, at approximately 3:16 a.m., Jersey City police officers responded to a call of an assault in progress at the Delta Gas Station.
Upon arrival, officers learned that an unknown man and woman had approached a 42-year-old victim, demanded money, and punched him in the face. When the victim resisted, he was struck in the head with a pistol, causing him to lose consciousness.
The suspects then stole cash and the victim’s cell phone. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A second gas station employee, a 63-year-old man, exited the building during the robbery and was confronted by the female suspect, who pointed a handgun at him and demanded money. He complied and handed over cash.
During the incident, two shots were fired before the suspects fled the scene.
The JCPD issued a statewide Be On the Lookout (BOLO) alert and conducted an investigation that linked the December 25th incident to Goines and Martinez.
The suspects were later connected to a similar armed robbery and aggravated assault at a gas station in Linden on January 14th, 2026. Both suspects were found in possession of handguns reported stolen from Elizabeth, which were safely recovered by police.
Goines was arrested on January 30th, and remains in custody. This morning, Martinez was arrested at her Union City home by the JCPD’s Cease Fire Unit and Criminal Warrant Squad, in partnership with the U.S. Marshal Fugitive Task Force, officials said.
