Duo tortured man with blowtorch, fish hooks for days, Atlantic City cops say

ATLANTIC CITY — Police have arrested two men they say tied up and tortured a New York man for two days.

The 36-year-old man said the pair held him against his will in an apartment for two days over the weekend, according to Atlantic City police. Mark Hopewell, 32, of Atlantic City and Roberto Alicea, 28, of Mays Landing repeatedly punched the man, burned his feet with a blow torch and stuck a fish hook in his mouth and under his chin, police said.

They also stole $700 from the man, whose identity was not disclosed, police said.

Alicea and Hopewell were both charged with robbery, aggravated assault, two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon, two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, criminal restraint and conspiracy. Police said there could also be a third person involved.

Hopewell had a small blow torch on him at the time of his arrest, police said. Officers found a large fishing hook in the apartment where the man said he was assaulted as well, police said.

Atlantic City Police asked anyone with information about this incident to call them at 609-347-5766, or text tip411 to 847411.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com