Brick Man Charged With Attempted Murder, Armed Robbery in Freehold

arrested a Brick man and an accomplice for allegedly committing an armed robbery in the parking lot of the Burlington Coat Factory store there.

Both have been charged with attempted murder in the case, prosecutors announced Friday.

According to the complaint warrant, Caleb Applewhite, 25, of Brick Blvd. allegedly robbed Brandon Randolph of marijuana using a handgun in the Freehold Township parking lot. Brian Buchanan, 23, of East Orange is also charged in the robbery.

According to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office, on the evening of Dec. 21, 2011, the Freehold Township Police Department responded to multiple 911 calls concerning a vehicle that had crashed in the vicinity of the Farmers Market in Freehold.

Medical professionals subsequently determined that the lone occupant of the crashed vehicle had sustained a gunshot wound to the forehead. In the course of the ensuing investigation, authorities learned that Applewhite and Buchanan had coordinated a meeting with the victim, during which Applewhite shot the victim in the head.

Applewhite is charged with attempted murder, conspiracy with another to commit armed robbery, utilizing a handgun to commit robbery and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.

Total bail is set at $300,000. Applewhite is scheduled for a first appearance in court at 8 a.m. Tuesday. Police are still investigating.

In September, Applewhite was indicted in Ocean County for having Oxycodone, Alprazolam, Diazaepam, Drobinol, Testosterone and hollow nose bullets in Brick on Dec. 28, 2010. Applewhite was also accused of having marijuana and intending to distribute it.