Man Who Hit Woman With Golf Club, Robbed Her Pleads Guilty: OCPO

BERKELEY, NJ — The Marlton man who assaulted and robbed an elderly woman at Robert J. Miller Airpark in 2019 has pleaded guilty to robbery and aggravated assault, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced on Monday.

The state is seeking a sentence of ten years in New Jersey State Prison for the robbery charge and five years for the aggravated assault charge for David Steen, 54. These sentences will run concurrently, authorities said.

On September 23, 2019, Steen approached an 87-year-old woman who was hitting golf balls at the Airpark, Billhimer said. Steen pushed her to the ground and hit her in the head with a golf club before ripping a gold chain and gold crucifix from her neck, Billhimer said. Steen fled the area.

The victim was able to drive home and a friend drove her to an Urgent Care facility in Lacey, Billhimer said. With the victim's help, detectives were able to identify Steen as the person responsible for the attack and robbery. A warrant was issued for his arrest on October 3, 2019, authorities said.

Steen was arrested in Burlington County on October 7, 2019, for an unrelated traffic stop, authorities said. He was taken to Ocean County Jail and has remained there since.

Steen's sentencing is set for June 3, 2022.

Billhimer acknowledged the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Jamie Schron and Assistant Prosecutor Julie Peterson who handled the case on behalf of the State, and commended 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.

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