An Egg Harbor Township man was indicted last week for attempted murder and 9 additional criminal counts, in connection with a home invasion robbery committed against a 92-year-old man in 2013, Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.
On Wednesday, February 18, an Atlantic County Grand Jury indicted Robert J. Bilhardt, 26, of the Tower East Mobile Home Park, Tremont Avenue, Egg Harbor Township, ten (10) criminal counts in connection with the December 2013 home invasion robbery of Charles Sweetman, then 92-years-old, a resident of the same community.
On Dec. 17, 2013, at approximately 8:52 a.m., Egg Harbor Township police responded to a residence in Tower East Mobile Home, in the Cardiff section of the township, and found Charles Sweetman suffering from stab wounds. Sweetman was treated at the scene by members of the EHT Ambulance Squad and AtlantiCare Paramedics, and transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center—City Campus Trauma Center for treatment.
Sweetman’s vehicle had been stolen from the scene.
An intensive multi-agency investigation mobilized by the Egg Harbor Township police led to the arrest of Robert J. Bilhardt, just before midnight the same day.
Bilhardt’s arrest was effected without incident in the Villas section of Cape May County, by Egg Harbor Township police, with the assistance of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Police, and the United States Marshall Service.
Bilhardt was charged with aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, theft, and weapons offenses, and lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility in lieu of $350,000 full cash bail set by Municipal Court Judge H. R. Switzer.
Last week, Bilhardt was indicted on the following charges:
Attempted murder—a crime of the 1st degree,
Armed robbery—a 1st degree crime,
Armed burglary—a 2nd degree crime,
Burglary while attempting to cause bodily injury—a 2nd degree crime,
Aggravated assault by causing serious bodily injury—a 2nd degree crime,
Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon—a 3rd degree crime,
Motor vehicle theft—a 3rd degree crime,
Possession of a weapon (knife) for an unlawful purpose—a 3rd degree crime,
Unlawful possession of a weapon (knife)—a 3rd degree crime, and
Possession of a weapon by a convicted felon—a 4th degree crime.
A conviction for a crime of the 1st degree carries a potential penalty of 10-20 years of incarceration in New Jersey prison; a 2nd degree conviction: 5-10 years in prison; a 3rd degree conviction: 3 to 5 years in prison; and a 4th degree conviction: a sentence not to exceed 18 months.