Robbers Who Shot Wayne Cop Each Get 170 Years

The two men who shot a Wayne police officer during a Route 23 gas station robbery in 2010 were each sentenced Monday to more than 170 years in prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Monday.

U.S. District Judge Stanley Chesler in Newark Federal Court sentenced Nelson Otero, 48, of Fort Lee, to 174 years and Maxcine Cagan, 48, of Floral Park, to 172 years.

The men on May 10, 2010 at the Exxon station on Route 23 North. The officer was responding to a robbery at the station.

“The entire Wayne Police Department is very happy that the individuals who are responsible for the robberies and the shooting of [Worell] have been sentenced to very long terms in prison,” Chief John Reardon said in a statement."We hope that these sentences will give Officer Worell some peace of mind and closure for the events of that night. I would like to thank all who participated in the investigation, arrest and trial for their tireless efforts in bringing these very dangerous individuals to justice and putting an end to their numerous crimes.”

Both men were convicted in April of all 15 counts charged against them.

The men  in Bergen, Burlington, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic and Union counties between March and May 2010, robbing at least seven businesses at gunpoint.

Otero and Cagan herded employees and customers into an office before Worrell confronted them. A bullet grazed Worell’s ear, leaving a 4-inch gash. Worell testified against the men at the trial.

The men also robbed a Shell gas station and 7-Eleven at gunpoint on April 5, 2010. They robbed the store of its proceeds and ordered victims to the back of the store and stole their personal belongings.

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