Two men were arrested Monday after they allegedly used a blowtorch and fishhook to torture a man over two days while robbing him.
HOPEWELL
The victim stopped police officers outside the Public Safety Building just after 1 p.m. Monday, telling them he was held against his will by three men for two days.
The 36-year-old New York man reported that he was tied up inside an apartment on the south block of Georgia Avenue, where he was repeatedly punched, had his feet burned with a blowtorch and had a fishhook stuck in his mouth and under his chin, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
The victim, whose name is not being released, was robbed of more than $700.
Detectives Stephen Rando and Fariyd Holmes investigated, leading to the arrests of Mark Hopewell, 32, of Atlantic City, and Roberto Alicea, 28, of Mays Landing.
At the time of his arrest, Hopewell had a small blowtorch, Fair said. The detectives also found a large fishhook in the apartment where the robbery allegedly took place.
The victim was taken to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus for treatment of his injuries.
Hopewell and Alicea are charged with robbery, aggravated assault, two counts each of unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, along with criminal restraint and conspiracy.
They were taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
ALICEA
The identity of the third suspect is being investigated, Fair said.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Atlantic City police at 609-347-5766 or Crime Stoppers at 609-652-1234. Information may also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411) beginning the text with ACPD.
