July 11, 2023
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Petar Armbruster III (54-years-old, Last Known Address: 1st block of Jerrys Dr, Burlington, NJ) was arrested on July 11, 2023 and charged with Attempted Murder (1st degree), Aggravated Assault (2nd degree), Attempted Aggravated Assault (2nd degree), Leaving the Scene of Motor Vehicle Crash with serious injuries (3rd degree), Endangering Injured Victim (3rd degree) and Assault by Auto (4th degree).
On July 8, 2023, at approximately 5:08 p.m., Lawrence Township Police officers responded to the parking lot of Halo Farm (970 Spruce St, Lawrenceville, NJ) for a report of a hit-and-run motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.
Officers located the victim in the parking lot of Halo Farm with multiple injuries. The victim was transported to Capital Health System – Regional Medical Center, by Lawrence Township EMS and remains in serious condition.
Investigating officers determined that prior to the crash, Armbruster III and the victim had been engaged in a verbal dispute in the area of the 7-11 Store. Armbruster III followed the victim from the 7-11 Store to the Halo Farm / Trenton Farmers Market parking lot. Armbruster III sat in his car and waited for the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. As they entered the parking lot of Halo Farm, Armbruster III drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed striking the victim and nearly missing the victim’s girlfriend. Armbruster III fled the scene after striking the victim.
Armbruster III was arrested by the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office on July 11, 2023, in the City of Trenton. He is being lodged at the Mercer County Correction Center awaiting a Detention Hearing. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Mercer County Sheriff’s Office, and Trenton Police Department assisted with the investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Lawrence Township Police Detective Paulina Way at 609-844-7133 / [email protected] or Detective Sean Kerins at 609-844-7121 / [email protected].
**All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law**
