SOMERS POINT — Three adults and a juvenile have been arrested in a strong-armed robbery outside the Acme supermarket in Somers Point.
Police Chief Robert Somers stated in a news release that officers responded shortly before 11 a.m. Oct. 3 to the Acme market for a report of a strong armed robbery.
The victim, an 83-year-old woman, was approached from behind near the entrance and assaulted before her purse was stolen.
Before being transported to Shore Medical Center for treatment of injuries suffered in the incident, the woman described her attacker as a younger man wearing a mask and dark clothing. He reportedly fled toward Bethel Road.
On Oct. 10, a joint effort among the Somers Point, Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township police resulted in the arrests.
“The Somers Point Police Department worked diligently around the clock to identify and arrest all those involved in this crime,” Somers stated in a news release.
Those arrested include a 15-year-old boy from Egg Harbor Township, who was charged with robbery, aggravated assault and theft and lodged at Harborfields Juvenile Detention Center.
Others arrested:
— Maria DeSantis, 60, of Woodbine, who was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit theft, employing a juvenile to commit a crime and receiving stolen property.
— Charles Ogelsby Jr., 23, of Atlantic City, who was charged with the same crimes as DeSantis, as well as possession of a defaced firearm.
— Emily Labaco, 22, of Atlantic City, who was charged with the same crimes as DeSantis.
All of the adults were lodged in the Atlantic County Jail awaiting further proceedings.
In addition to the arrests, multiple search warrants on residences and a vehicle were executed in Atlantic City and Egg Harbor Township to obtain evidence, Somers stated.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our chief of police and our detectives in the police department,” Mayor Dennis Tapp said during the City Council meeting later that evening.
He said the event was a targeted attack rather than a random incident.
“It’s something that, even though it happened, we still have a safe town,” Tapp said.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff