Cops: Armed Robbery Inside Pleasantville Wawa Bathroom, Three Arrested
Atlantic City Police say they have arrested three people after a man was robbed at gunpoint inside of a Wawa bathroom in Pleasantville.
According to authorities, Pleasantville Police responded to the Wawa at Delilah Road and Route 9 around 11:30 Thursday morning after they received several calls about a man having been threatened with a gun or mugged in the men's bathroom.
Police say they spoke to the victim who reported that he had been robbed of several hundred dollars cash at gunpoint in the restroom. Using store surveillance video, information about the suspect and a vehicle was given to neighboring police departments.
Atlantic City Police say about three hours later, their officers saw a man matching the description of the suspect in the area of the Brigantine Homes. The suspect, later identified as 27-year-old Vance Golden of Atlantic City, was observed entering the suspect vehicle.
The ACPD officers stopped the vehicle in the 900 block of N. North Carolina Avenue and took Golden, who police say was found to be in possession of a gun, and two female passengers, 30-year-old Carolyn Simms and 32-year-old Shanie Valentine, both of Atlantic City, into custody after what police believe was heroin was found in the car.
Atlantic City Police charged Golden with unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS, and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public zone/housing. Pleasantville Police additionally charged Golden with robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not to possess a weapon, terroristic threats, and theft.
Both Simms and Valentine were charged with possession of CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS, and possession with intent to distribute CDS within 500 feet of a public housing/zone.
The incident continues to be investigated by the Pleasantville Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit.