Bayonne police identify suspect in $60K jewelry store armed robbery

It happened in minutes. A man walked into Jewelry by Peter on Broadway, pulled out what looked like a black handgun, and demanded cash. Before anyone could react, he was behind the counter, scooping up rings, necklaces, watches — roughly $60,000 worth of merchandise.

Then he was gone.

But Bayonne police say they caught a break early. Within hours of the June 18th robbery, detectives had a suspect identified, an arrest warrant issued, and a significant chunk of the stolen jewelry recovered.

Here’s what happened, according to Police Sgt. Kenneth Drago.

Around midday Thursday, officers responded to an armed robbery call at 180 Broadway. A man wearing a surgical mask entered the store, brandished what appeared to be a black handgun, and demanded $10,000 from employees. He then went behind the sales counter and grabbed an estimated $60,000 in jewelry before fleeing on foot.

Officers and detectives immediately searched the area. They found clothing, the surgical mask, and several pieces of stolen property discarded near the store.

That quick response gave investigators a starting point. From there, they traced the suspect’s movements — and discovered he used a rideshare service to get from Bayonne to Jersey City after the robbery.

Working with the Jersey City Police Department and the New Jersey State Police, detectives tracked the suspect to a home on Bayview Avenue in Jersey City. They identified him as Tomani Johnston, 24.

Johnston is now charged with robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and endangering the welfare of a child. An arrest warrant has been issued. Police are asking anyone who knows where he is to call the Detective Bureau at (201) 858-6925, the tip line at 1-877-900-TIPS (8477), or text TIPBPD followed by the message to 274637.

What this means for Bayonne

Armed robberies are rare in Bayonne, but they shake a community’s sense of safety. This one happened on Broadway, a busy commercial strip where families shop, kids walk home from school, and neighbors grab coffee. A jewelry store heist in broad daylight — with a weapon involved — is the kind of thing that makes people lock their doors a little tighter.

But the police response here also matters. Chief Joseph Scerbo said the department’s quick work — identifying a suspect within hours — shows that these crimes are taken seriously. “Crimes of this nature will not be tolerated,” Scerbo said. “Those who choose to commit criminal acts in our city should know that they will be aggressively pursued and swiftly brought to justice.”

He also thanked the Jersey City Police Department and the New Jersey State Police for their help. The investigation is still active, police say.

What you can do

If you have seen Tomani Johnston or know where he might be, call the Bayonne PD Detective Bureau at (201) 858-6925. If you’d rather stay anonymous, you can call the tip line at 1-877-900-TIPS (8477) or text TIPBPD plus your message to 274637.

No detail is too small. And if you’re a parent or neighbor who worries about safety on Broadway, this case is a reminder that police are watching — and that when a crime happens, they move fast.