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Man connected to Autumn Pasquale death charged in home invasion

Dante Robinson, who served time in connection with the 2012 slaying of the 12-year-old, was charged with committing a home-invasion robbery Monday in Camden County, authorities said.

A 21-year-old man who served time in connection with the 2012 slaying of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale has been charged with committing a home-invasion robbery this week in Camden County, authorities said Wednesday.

Dante Robinson, whose younger brother is serving a 17-year sentence for strangling the girl, was arrested after allegedly breaking into a residence in the Key Lane area of Sicklerville about 12:30 a.m. Monday, authorities said. Robinson, of Clayton, Gloucester County, was being treated at Cooper University Hospital for an injury sustained during the robbery, officials said.

Camden County Prosecutor Mary Eva Colalillo and Gloucester Township Police Chief Harry Earle said Robinson, after he is released from the hospital, will be sent to the Camden County Jail pending a pretrial detention hearing.

No details on the home invasion were released. Robinson was charged with first-degree robbery, second-degree conspiracy to commit first-degree robbery, second-degree burglary, second-degree theft, third-degree aggravated assault, and third-degree endangering a child.

Under New Jersey rules, Robinson may be detained without bail or released with conditions.

Robinson's brother, Justin, pleaded guilty in 2013 to luring the Clayton girl to an abandoned property and killing her. Dante Robinson, who was originally charged with murder in the case, served time for obstruction of justice and was released less than a year later.

The girl went missing Oct. 20, 2012, after leaving her father's home on her white BMX bicycle. After a two-day search, her body was found in a recycling container near the home of the teenage brothers.

Pasquale's father, Anthony, reacted swiftly to the news Wednesday.

"Anyone surprise by this recent event?! Most likely not! The infamous brothers once again in the spotlight. He got away the first time, lets see what the justice system will do now!" he posted on Facebook.

Robinson's mother, Anita Saunders, also took to Facebook Wednesday night to claim that her son was an unwitting driver for "a couple of guys" who did not reveal their intentions beforehand.

Saunders wrote that her son was shot and "he ran for his life [damn] near bleeding to death!"

Stanley King, an attorney who previously represented Robinson's mother, said he heard the news about Robinson's arrest and just hoped it was all a "big misunderstanding."

"I'm just sad," King said. "It's a sad story."

King said he had not seen Dante Robinson in years.

Pasquale's mother, Jennifer Cornwell, declined to comment.