For Immediate Release-  May 21, 2016

On Friday, May 20, 2016, at 5:00 am, the Atlantic City Communications Bureau received an emergency call for a robbery in progress and a ShotSpotter alert within 7 seconds of each other.    

The robbery call was for a victim, a 28 year old Atlantic City resident, who was robbed at gunpoint at Florida and Pacific Avenues.  Taken during the robbery was the victim’s cell phone and backpack.  A description of the suspect was obtained by responding officers, but the suspect could not be located. 

Seven seconds after the initial robbery call, a ShotSpotter notification was made for a single round being fired in the area of the unit south block of California Avenue.  The Communications Bureau did not receive any emergency 911 calls for the shot being fired.  At the time, officers were unable to locate any evidence of the shooting.

While investigating the robbery, Detectives Innocenzo Visceglia and Michael Auble, with the aid of sunlight, began to search the area of the ShotSpotter notification and found a single 9mm shell casing.  Utilizing surveillance cameras from area businesses, they observed the shooting suspect enter a hotel room at the El Dorado Motel, 2741 Pacific Avenue. 

The detectives along with Officer James Armstrong made contact with the room’s occupants, Donte Alston-Harris and Melisa Collazo.  As a result of the detective investigation, the robbery victim’s cell phone and backpack were recovered in the room as well as a 9mm handgun.

The handgun was loaded with hollow-point ammunition and had been reported stolen from Wildwood, NJ.    

ARRESTED:  Donte Alston-Harris, 20 year old male from Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, and possession of hollow point bullets.

Alston-Harris was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.  His bail was set at $100,000.00.

ARRESTED:  Melisa Collazo, a 26 year old female from Trenton, NJ.

CHARGES:  Contempt of court from Mercer County, NJ.

Collazo was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 609-347-5766.  Information can be text to TIP411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.  All texts are anonymous.

Alert sent on 05/21/2016 at 2:07PM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Atlantic City PD, Business Alerts, Press Releases, Westside Civic Association, Westside Homeowners Protective Association, Tanger Outlet, Chelsea Neighborhood Civic Association, Venice Park Civic Association, Marina District, Stanley Homes Village, First Ward Civic Association, Carver Hall, Chelsea Heights, Bungalow Park Civic Association, The Cove Condo Association, CRDA, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, and Security Directors

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