Atlantic City, NJ, Man — The Case Of Robbery & Firearms

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed that an Atlantic City, New Jersey man pleaded guilty to robbery and firearms offenses.

Collaboration With The Ventnor & Atlantic City Police Departments

The Atlantic City Police Department, under the direction of Chief Jim Sarkos has been delivering consistently excellent results.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office

Does a good job with reporting crime statistics and the results of competent law enforcement agencies like the Atlantic City Police Department.

Robert Arroyo Pleaded Guilty

Arroyo, 49 years old, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to:

• two counts of first-degree robbery.
• one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon - Handgun without a Permit.

The Plea Deal

In exchange for the guilty plea, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office will recommend a sentence of 10 years New Jersey State Prison.

Additionally, “with a parole ineligibility period of eight and a half years concurrent to five years New Jersey State Prison with a parole ineligibility period of three and a half years,” said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

The First of Three Key Dates

On February 9, 2025, officers from the Ventnor Police Department were sent to a disturbance.

While on scene, Arroyo advised officers that due to the family members engaging in a dispute, he retrieved his handgun from the residence and was now in possession of it. Officers observed a black handgun in Arroyo's back pocket. Arroyo did not have a permit to possess a firearm, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Second Key Date

On April 4, 2025, Atlantic City Police Officers Department went to Pat's Liquor Store, where there was a report of an armed robbery.

The victim stated that the suspect entered the store, went to the cooler, grabbed a six-pack of beer, and placed it on the counter. The suspect then said that he needed to grab money from his car. When the suspect returned, he pointed a handgun at the victim and ordered him to open both cash registers. The victim complied and the suspect took approximately $1,000.00. The male was later identified as Arroyo through surveillance and facial recognition technology. Arroyo was unable to be located at the time, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Third Key Date

On April 26, 2025, Atlantic City Police Officers returned to Pat's Liquor Store in response to an armed robbery.

Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who stated that a male entered the store, grabbed a beer, and, when approaching the register to pay, instead produced a black handgun and pointed it at him. The suspect then demanded that the victim open both cash registers and then took the money. The suspect ordered him to open the safe located between the register, from which the suspect took additional money. The suspect was later identified as Arroyo through surveillance. Arroyo was apprehended on April 29, 2025, said the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

Arroyo Sentencing

The sentencing is scheduled for May 19, 2026, before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Jorge F. Coombs,

Atlantic County Assistant Prosecutor Erin Rush represented the State in this case.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office

SOURCE: Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.