Carlos Reyes, 22, alleged he was the victim of an armed home invasion and robbery on Jan. 31 that left his hands and ankles bound with duct tape, police said.
Police vehicles at East Windsor police headquarters in this file photo. EAST WINDSOR — The armed home invasion at the Princeton Arms North I apartment complex on Jan. 31 was allegedly “staged” by the victim, and he has not been abducted but left on his own accord, East Windsor police said.
“There were several inconsistencies uncovered during the investigation which gave rise to suspicions about how the scene was presented,” Lt. Richard Bernstein said. “By staged, I mean that he made it appear that he may have been abducted, when in fact it was learned that he had not been.”
Carlos Reyes, 22, alleged he was the victim of an armed home invasion and robbery on Jan. 31 that left his hands and ankles bound with duct tape. In the initial report, Reyes said three suspects forced their way into an apartment at the Princeton Arms North I complex, where they bound Reyes.
Reyes reported that the suspects gained entry by yelling the name ofReyes' stepfather and ringing the doorbell. When Reyes opened the door, they punched him in the face and knocked him to the floor, according to police.
Reyes said the suspects stole electronics and cash from the apartment, according to police. After the suspects departed, Reyes was able to loosen his restraints enough to get to a phone and call police.
Three other people live in the apartment but were not home at the time.
On Feb. 7, Reyes’ family reported him missing, and there were indications Reyes was taken against his will, police said.
Information discovered by East Windsor police Saturday night led detectives to suspect Reyes had not been abducted. It was learned from an accomplice that Reyes had staged the robbery in order to steal the cash, Bernstein said.
Reyes, who is 6-foot-1 and weighs180 pounds, was last seen in his East Windsor residence at 2 p.m. on Friday wearing a black leather jacket with a gray hood, blue jeans and black Converse sneakers, East Windsor police said.
Reyes is charged with theft and additional charges are pending, Bernstein said.
Anyone with any information concerning Reyes’ disappearance is asked to contact East Windsor police at (609) 448-5678.
Contact Nicole Mulvaney at nmulvaney@ntimes.com.
CONNECT WITH US:
On mobile or desktop:
• Like Times of Trenton on Facebook
• Follow @TimesofTrenton on Twitter