By: Richard L. Smith
On Monday, May 20, 2024, Robert Reed, 51, of Newark was convicted by a petit jury of multiple charges, including second-degree robbery, third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree theft by unlawful taking, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
The charges stem from an incident on March 3, 2023, when the victim, identified as D.H., traveled to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino to gamble.
During the trial, testimony and evidence revealed that the victim won $20,000 at a poker table where the defendant, Reed, was also present.
Reed befriended the victim following the win.
The following morning, March 4, 2023, as the victim was checking out of his hotel, he encountered Reed, who claimed he had missed his bus and requested a ride to the bus station.
The victim agreed. While walking to the victim’s vehicle in the parking garage.
Reed struck the victim over the head with a glass wine bottle and robbed him of cash and other personal belongings.
The victim sustained several head lacerations due to the assault.
Reed fled the scene on foot, but Hard Rock security and surveillance were able to identify him using his player’s card information.
The incident was investigated by the Atlantic City Police Department and Hard Rock Security/Surveillance.
Reed is scheduled to be sentenced by the Honorable Dorothy Garrabrant, J.S.C., on July 18, 2024.
He faces a sentence ranging from five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Assistant Atlantic County Prosecutor Marlaina Mutchko represented the State in this case.