Masked suspect in New Jersey liquor store robbery nabbed thanks to pricey sneakers

ENGLEWOOD (WABC) -- A suspect is under arrest in connection with an armed liquor store robbery in New Jersey, and police say he was nabbed thanks to his distinctive and expensive sneakers.

The incident happened around 9 p.m. on January 27 at Wides Liquors on West Englewood Avenue in Englewood.

Authorities say two employees were robbed at gunpoint by a partially masked man who entered the store and threatened them with a handgun, at one point actually cocking back the hammer on the revolver.

The suspect was given between $200 and $300 and fled the store.

Officers responded within moments but could not locate the suspect, and detectives were called in and cordoned off the crime scene. The Bergen County Bureau of Police Services' Crime Scene Unit was brought in to assist with trying to recover physical evidence, and detectives reviewed the store's surveillance system and found clear video footage that showed the suspect wearing a pair of distinctive Nike Air Blue Mirror Foamposite sneakers and a Northface coat.

Within the following days, after closely examining the areas of the suspect's face that were exposed during the robbery, along with tips from within the community, Charles "Darrell" Blain was identified as a strong suspect.

Detectives learned he was wanted on a Bergen County Child Support warrant and that he had a serious criminal record in New Jersey and New York.

Englewood detectives were searching for Blain near a relative's home in the area of Westervelt Place and Teaneck Road in Teaneck around 9 p.m. on January 30 when they observed him walking down the street wearing the same distinctive Nike sneakers from the video.

Along with members of the Teaneck Police Department, Blain was taken into custody without incident.

He was brought to the Englewood Detective Bureau for questioning while the relative's home was searched, and police say the Northface coat and ski mask used during the robbery were both recovered inside. The weapon used during the robbery has not been recovered.

Blain is charged with one count of first-degree armed robbery.