Case of Mistaken Identity Fuels Alleged Robbery at Heights of Collingswood

It was a case of misplaced aggression and mistaken identity, and by the end of it, Roberto Rentas found himself charged with second-degree robbery over a $300 beef.

The 32-year-old Camden man allegedly played both victim and aggressor in an ill-fated trip to the "C" Building of the Heights of Collingswood apartment complex last Thursday.

According to Collingswood police, Rentas arrived at the apartments the afternoon of December 6 with the intention of purchasing $20 of marijuana from a contact named "Tony." 

During a brief encounter in the stairwell, Rentas reported that "Tony" snatched $300 in cash from him, and then dashed downstairs and outside, allegedly fleeing in a silver vehicle.

An irate Rentas then allegedly charged up to the third floor of the "C" Building, where he met a carpeting and remodeling worker as the man exited the elevator.

Believing the workman to be connected with the incident, Rentas shoved him against the wall, and began rifling through the man's pockets, asking "Where's Tony? Where's my money?", police said.

The victim called police, and after a brief lockdown of the property, Rentas reportedly was located and arrested without incident.

In the course of his detainment, police also discovered that Rentas was wanted on a $500 warrant from the Pennsauken Municipal Court. He was remanded to the Camden County correctional facility on $50,000, full-cash bail.

Rentas also reported the $300 theft to police; "Tony" remains at large.

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