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Police: Known Offenders Conspired In Oakland Gunpoint Gas Station Robbery

OAKLAND, N.J. – An ex-con working as an attendant conspired with two associates to stage the robbery of an Oakland gas station, authorities said Monday.

David Chaupiz, Eric Trent

David Chaupiz, Eric Trent

Photo Credit: Chaupiz (left): Mary K. Miraglia for DAILY VOICE; Trent (right): Facebook

The attendant, 25-year-old David Chaupiz of Oakland, had spent 15 months in state prison for his role in a baseball-bat bashing of his then-girlfriend’s ex during a robbery.

Chaupiz later was sentenced to time served (61 days) after he led Wyckoff and Ridgewood police on a dangerous chase -- and violated a no-contact order twice.

A judge at the time told him he could face serious consequences if he got into trouble again.

Oakland Police Lt. Christian Eldridge said that Chaupiz conspired with Eric Trent, 28, of West Milford, to stage the Jan. 8 holdup at the Valero gas station robbery on Ramapo Valley Road.

Trent already was facing robbery charges out of Passaic County.

Detective Keith Docwra arrested Chaupiz, Trent and the accused getaway driver, Krystle Runo, 29, of Stockholm, in connection with the gas station incident, Eldridge said.

Charges for theft, robbery and other related offenses were filed, the lieutenant said.

Trent and Runo were processed and charged at the Passaic County Jail, where both already were in custody for previous offenses, Eldridge said.

Chaupiz was arrested and later released on his own recognizance, he said. 

Chaupiz originally told police that the robber approached the station just before the 8 p.m. closing time, “brandished a handgun and fled with an undisclosed amount cash that he removed from the counter,” Eldridge said.

Officers responded and searched the area with the assistance of a K-9 unit from the Bergen County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Identification collected evidence.

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