Reward offered in robbery turned deadly in Newark

NEWARK (WABC) -- A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered in the case of a man killed apparently for his cell phone in Newark over the weekend.

A quiet, Portuguese neighborhood in the Ironbound section of Newark has been shaken by the crime.

Police responded to the 150 block of Walnut Street shortly before 7:15 a.m. Sunday and found the victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. He was pronounced dead at 7:28 a.m.

Eyewitness News is told the victim, 40-year-old Agostinho Sousa of Newark, worked in construction and was friendly to everyone. Waitresses say he came to the local cafe every morning for an espresso and a club soda. On Sunday morning, a gun interrupted his daily routine.

There is no official word on what happened, but many believe he was being robbed of his cell phone. Instead, the mugger or muggers took his life. Police eventually found what they believe is the getaway vehicle - a blue minivan - on Seabury Street. Authorities confirmed someone tried to set the car on fire.

Neighbors recall being woken by police early Sunday morning after the horrible killing - his body was found in an alleyway.

One waitress who did not want to be identified said her pocketbook was stolen just a few days ago.

Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura announced Monday morning that his department's Crimestoppers program has offered a cash reward of up to $10,000 for information that leads to an arrest in this case. The gunman is still on the loose, and the investigation is ongoing.