GALLOWAY, NJ — A Galloway man pleaded guilty Monday in Atlantic County Superior Court to charges tied to an armed robbery in Atlantic City and a separate weapon possession offense, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Manuel Alicea, 32, pleaded guilty before Judge Donna Taylor, J.S.C., on April 20, 2026, to second-degree robbery and second-degree certain persons not to possess weapons. Under the terms of the plea, Alicea is expected to be sentenced to six years subject to the No Early Release Act concurrent to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison with a five-year parole ineligibility period.
The robbery case dates to Aug. 14, 2024. At about 10 a.m., Atlantic City police officers responded to an armed robbery in which the victim, identified as G.K., was pistol whipped with a handgun. The victim provided a statement indicating he was robbed and struck with a weapon.
The items reported stolen were $45 cash, an EBT card and a cell phone, according to the case summary. The defendant also attempted to take the victim's bike. The victim identified the suspect as Alicea, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Police later located Alicea in Egg Harbor City on Aug. 26, 2024, after Egg Harbor City police were notified by the Atlantic City Police Department that he was on a train there and was wanted in the robbery case. When officers came in contact with him, he pulled away and fled on foot, according to officials.
A search of a backpack that Alicea previously had on his person contained a 9 mm Taurus handgun with an extended magazine and hollow point ammunition, according to the document. Mail belonging to Alicea also was found in the backpack.
The certain persons charge stems from Alicea's prior narcotics distribution convictions, which made him prohibited from possessing firearms under New Jersey law, officials said.
Alicea will continue to be held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility pending sentencing. Sentencing is scheduled for June 8, 2026.
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