BERKELEY – A 54-year-old man has pleaded guilty to assaulting and robbing a woman at Robert J. Miller Airpark, officials said.
David Steen, 54, of Marlton, pleaded guilty to Robbery and Aggravated Assault in connection with an incident that occurred on September 23, 2019.
The victim, an 87-year-old woman, was hitting golf balls at the Airpark when she was approached by an unknown man. Then man proceeded to push the victim to the ground and hit her in the head with a golf club. He then ripped a gold chain and a gold crucifix from her neck and fled the area, police said.
When the woman returned home that day, her friend drove her to the Urgent Care facility for treatment of her injuries. She provided detectives with a detailed description of the suspect and his car, and was also able to assist in the preparation of a composite sketch of her attacker with the help of a New Jersey State Police sketch artist.
Officials later identified Steen the person responsible for the robbery and assault of the victim. As a result, a warrant was issued for Steen’s arrest on October 3, 2019.
On October 7, 2019, Steen was arrested in Burlington County by the New Jersey State Police during an unrelated motor vehicle stop. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since his apprehension.
Steen faces 10 years in New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) for to the Robbery charge, and an additional five years for the Aggravated Assault charge.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Berkeley Township Police Department, Berkeley Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Pemberton Township Police Department, New Jersey State Police, United States Marshals Service, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, and Ocean County Security Department, for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation, leading to Steen’s arrest, guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
