Suspects connected to a November 29 armed holdup in Lakewood find themselves facing a raft of new charges, and investigators are far from closing the probe.

Fritzley Francois (Ocean Co. Dept. of Corrections)
Fritzley Francois (Ocean Co. Dept. of Corrections)
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According to police, evidence gleaned during the arrest of Fritzley Francois of Lakewood and Tyree Hughes of Irvington, along with Da'Sean Donaldson of Jackson, prompted an expanded investigation.

A 32-year-old Lakewood man told police that he was stripped of his cellphone at gunpoint, near midnight on November 23, in the Woodlake Manor residence complex. Police said that it had gone unreported until the victim saw the related story on line.

Looking more deeply, investigators alleged that Francois pulled the trigger during the early Thanksgiving Day robbery and shooting of a Maryland man at the Highpoint condominiums. A second suspect in the incident has not yet been identified.

Regarding the Woodlake Manor incicent, Francois and Hughes were charged with robbery and two weapons counts, and an additional full $100,000 bail was set for each.

In connection with the shooting, police lodged the same charges, plus attempted murder, against Francois, and a judge raised his bail by another $250,000.

That brings Francois's bail to a total $450,000, and $200,000 for Hughes. Donaldson's bail remained at $150,000.

The investigation continues. Police urge anyone who has been a robbery victim in the near past, and kept silent, or who is aware of an unreported incident, to reach them, 732-363-0200.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.

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