Leonard Ludwigsen Jr., left, and Neco Pitts.
Two men have been charged in the killing of an Egg Harbor Township man more than a year ago.
Leonard Ludwigsen Jr., 26, of Egg Harbor Township, and Neco Pitts, 28, of Long Branch, Monmouth County, are accused of killing Arturo “Arty” Barrera III during an apparent robbery Jan. 2, 2020.
Two armed masked men entered the witness’s residence and pointed guns at him and Barrera, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said.
Dogs started barking and moving toward the masked men at the same time Barrera stood, Tyner said. That’s when the two masked men started firing, killing Barrera.
The two men then fled the home, Tyner said.
Police were called to the home in the 100 block of Vermont Avenue at 11:20 p.m. Jan. 2.
When police arrived they found Barrera with multiple gunshot wounds.
Ludwigsen was arrested Tuesday at his Egg Harbor Township home, and is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Pitts was charged and is lodged in the Monmouth County Jail on an unrelated matter.
"The pursuit of justice has been emotionally draining to say the least," Barrera's father, Art Jr., told BreakingAC. "We always stayed as hopeful as we could. Because of the unwavering efforts of our local and federal law enforcement, justice was found. We are forever grateful.
"We miss our son every minute of every day," he continued. "At least now we have some closure."
Tyner warned those who have committed or intend to commit murder in Atlantic County that "our detectives and law enforcement partners will never stop searching for those responsible."
“This dogged determination runs throughout the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office." he said. "While some cases may take longer than others to resolve, the public should know that we never stop working to make our community safe.”
