Two Philadelphia men charged in Atlantic City heists

Monday, Jan. 8, 2001 | 3:34 a.m.

David Williams, 44, and Robert Reed, 35, both of Philadelphia, are charged with robbery, conspiracy and theft in the robberies. They were arrested New Year's Eve.

Williams remained Monday in the Atlantic County Jail on $35,000 bail, but Reed has apparently posted bail.

Typically, one of them would intentionally spill water on a victim while the other grabbed their money, according to police Sgt. Michael Tullio.

"It was a diversionary tactic," he said. "The victims were physically grabbed by the person spilling the water. The water was a diversion."

The alleged thieves hit at least three times, he said:

-On Aug. 19, William Ryder, 62, of Collegeville, Pa., was robbed of $180 in the first of the splash-and-grab robberies.

-On Sept. 30, Joseph Hansen, 56, of New York was robbed of $200 at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino.

-On Oct. 28, Samuel Litzenberger, 64, of Quakertown, Pa., lost nearly $7,000 in a similar robbery at Resorts Atlantic City.

The attacks all occurred close to doorways and revolving doors, according to Tullio, who said police believe there may be other victims who haven't come forward.

"There may be some that people didn't report, and if so, we'd like to hear from them," said Tullio.

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