By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Tuesday, May 19, Robert Arroyo, 40, of Atlantic City, was sentenced before the Honorable Judge Coombs, J.S.C., to an aggregate term of 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with a parole ineligibility period of eight and a half years concurrent to five years in New Jersey State Prison with a parole ineligibility period of three and a half years.
Arroyo previously pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon – Handgun without a Permit, ACPO officials say.
According to Atlantic County officials, on February 9, 2025, members of the Ventnor Police Department were dispatched for a report of a disturbance. While on scene, Arroyo advised officers that due to the family members engaging in a dispute, he retrieved his handgun from the residence and was now in possession of it.
Officers observed a black handgun in Arroyo’s back pocket. Arroyo did not have a permit to possess a firearm, Atlantic County officials said.
ACPO officials stated that on April 4, 2025, members of the Atlantic City Police Department were dispatched to Pat’s Liquor Store in response to a report of an armed robbery. The victim stated that the suspect entered the store, went to the cooler, grabbed a six-pack of beer, and placed it on the counter.
The suspect then said that he needed to grab money from his car. When the suspect returned, he pointed a handgun at the victim and ordered him to open both cash registers. The victim complied , and the suspect took approximately $1,000.00, according to Atlantic County officials.
Atlantic County officials said the male was later identified as Arroyo through surveillance and facial recognition technology. The suspect was unable to be located at the time.
On April 26, 2025, Atlantic City Police Department officers were again dispatched to Pat’s Liquor Store for a report of an armed robbery, ACPO officials say.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who stated that a male entered the store, grabbed a beer, and, when approaching the register to pay, instead produced a black handgun and pointed it at him, Atlantic County officials said.
The suspect then demanded that the victim open both cash registers and then took the money, ACPO officials stated. The suspect ordered him to open the safe located between the register, from which the suspect took additional money.
Atlantic County officials said the suspect was later identified as Arroyo through surveillance. Arroyo was apprehended on April 29, 2025.
The State filed to detain Arroyo, and he was detained pending sentence.