Posted on: August 15, 2024, 09:45h.
Last updated on: August 15, 2024, 09:45h.
Five boys, none older than 15, were apprehended recently following a brazen holdup in the Tropicana Atlantic City.
Last Friday night, the teens approached an unnamed man. One of the boys pulled out a large knife and held it up to the victim’s back, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Atlantic City Police Department.
Victim Assaulted
They ordered the man to turn over his possessions. He did. Before fleeing, the young bandits assaulted the man.
No word on the extent of his injuries or details on what was stolen.
Local police immediately were alerted about the robbery at about 8 p.m. Friday. Tropicana security guards and Atlantic City police officers quickly got images of the suspects from casino surveillance cameras. Photos were distributed to officers.
Each of the suspects was apprehended a short distance from the casino, which is located on the Boardwalk.
Atlantic City Officers William Harned and Julian Monsalve spotted three of the teens on South Texas Avenue. The boys tried to flee, but the officers caught up with them and they were apprehended.
Officers Harned and Monsalve, as well as Officer Adrianna Petinga stopped another teen on Atlantic Avenue.
In addition, Officers Christopher Campbell and Juan Perez-Delacruz saw the fifth teen on Arctic Avenue. He ran away, but the officers eventually stopped him.
Large Knife Found
This suspect tossed a bag after seeing the cops. Inside was a large knife, according to Atlantic City Police Department Capt. Kevin Fair. Police believe it was used in the robbery.
Items belonging to the victim were recovered when police searched the teens.
One suspect was 15. The others were 14. They were arrested for robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, simple assault, terroristic threats, theft, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy.
Each was placed in juvenile detention centers. None of the suspects was injured during their arrests, according to initial news reports.
Their cases will be heard in New Jersey juvenile courts.
None of their names were released by police officers due to their young ages. Each resides in Atlantic City.
It’s not clear if the suspects had targeted the victim or if the holdup was random.
The victim was able to speak to officers after the robbery. He provided details on the holdup.
