Brandon Hargrose
An Atlantic City Re-entry Services worker is charged with second-degree robbery and simple assault after he alleged tried to take his ex-wife's phone during an altercation last month.
Brandon Hargrose, 40, was released from the Atlantic County Justice Facility on Monday, after a detention hearing during which his attorney questioned the robbery charge.
Hargrose, whose first name is also listed as Brandan, is accused of confronting his former wife in the parking lot of her job Aug. 21.
During the conversation, "Mr. Hargrose became upset and began to reach into her car and aggressively try to take her cellular phone from her hand," according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC. "Mr. Hargrose was aggressively grabbing her by her arms and pulled her by her hair, attempting to take the phone from her."
He also allegedly spit on her, according to the report.
The attack resulted in hair missing from the back of the woman's head, along with a large bruise on the back of her left forearm, the officer wrote in the affidavit.
Hargrose was later hospitalized with a broken ankle, although it was not clear how that happened. He was released to the jail Sept. 17, records show.
Defense attorney Durann Neil argued that the second-degree robbery claim was an overcharge, and likely will be dropped.
The remaining disorderly persons charge of simple assault would then be remanded to municipal court, with the victim indicating in a letter presented to Superior Court Judge Joseph Levin during Monday's detention hearing that she does not want to press charges.
Hargrose's criminal history that includes robbery, false imprisonment and weapons offenses is at least 10 years old, the judge noted. The public safety assessment used under bail reform also recommended he be released.
"The evidence does not appear to be overwhelming or even particularly strong," Levin said in released Hargrose.
Hargrose can have no in-person contact with his former wife unless it is a custody exchange for their child at the Atlantic City Police Department. He also may have "respectful and civil" contact by telephone to discuss the child.
Mayor Marty Small did not respond to numerous requests for comment about the arrest.
