Eyewitness NewsMORRISTOWN, N.J. -- Felony murder charges have been filed against a man accused in the dragging death of a northern New Jersey gas station owner.
Bail was set Sunday at $750,000 for 34-year-old Ronnie Fedo of Lake Hopatcong. He's also charged with aggravated manslaughter, death by auto, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and robbery in connection with Saturday afternoon's incident in Jefferson Township.
Speaking at a news conference Sunday in Morristown, Morris County Prosecutor Robert Bianchi said Fedo arrived at the Getty Gas Station in a sport utility vehicle around 1:15 p.m. and went into its convenience store. At the time, the station's owner - 65-year-old Nisan Ambaroglu of Paramus - was working at the gas pumps and no staffers were in the store.
Fedo soon reached over the counter and took some lottery tickets that he put in his pants pocket, Bianchi said. Ambaroglu then entered the store a short time later and Fedo, after making unrelated purchase, left and entered his vehicle.
After realizing what had happened, Ambaroglu ran out and went to the driver's side window of the SUV in a bid to stop Fedo, who drove off and dragged Ambaroglu through the parking lot and then for about 100 yards on Route 15 South. Ambaroglu then fell from the vehicle and ended up in the roadway as Fedo drove away.
Ambaroglu, who had owned the gas station for about seven years, was taken to Saint Clare's Hospital in Dover, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. But further details on his injuries and a cause of death have not been disclosed By late Saturday afternoon, authorities had released video of the incident and photographs of the suspect. And around 10 p.m.
Saturday, Jefferson police were called by a worker at another township business - not far from the gas station - who recognized Fedo.
After further investigation, authorities went to Fedo's home and arrested him without incident. They also found the SUV they believe he was driving when the incident occurred.
Bianchi said Fedo was later admitted to a local hospital for treatment of a leg infection - which was unrelated to the gas station incident - and remained there Sunday afternoon. When he is released, he will be taken to the county jail.
(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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