Street Drama: Passaic Sheriff's Officer Foils Armed Robbery

PATERSON, N.J. -- An armed robber was standing over a man he'd just knocked down on a Paterson street, a gun pointed at the victim's face, when a Passaic County sheriff's officer on his way to work jumped out of his car and drew his weapon, authorities said.

Passaic County sheriff
Photo Credit: *policearchives.org*

Jerry DeMarco

01/05/2017 10:38 a.m.

Dressed in full uniform, Officer Anthony Bua was bound for the overnight shift as the calendar changed to 2017 when he saw Xiair Lampley, 20, of Paterson, knock the victim down in front of 226 Main Street just after 10:30 p.m., Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik said.

Lampley "pointed a black handgun in his right hand at the victim's face while standing over him," the sheriff said.

As the victim covered his face, Bua got out of his car, identified himself and pulled out his service weapon, Bernik said.

Lampley immediately turned and ran, he said.

Bua ordered him to stop -- which Lampley did, putting his hands up on a security gate, the sheriff said.

Bua then ordered Lampley to the ground and handcuffed him, he said.

The officer requested backup from Paterson police, who recovered the gun -- which turned out to be a fake, Berdnik said.

Lampley was being held in the Passaic County Jail, charged with robbery and weapons possession.

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