On Monday police released surveillance video of three persons of interest who were caught on camera in the garage of Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal Casino just before a Middlesex County couple was carjacked at gunpoint Sunday, prosecutors tell NBC Philadelphia.
Police say three men were seen in the casino's self-parking garage around 8 a.m. on surveillance video when they approached 28-year-old Sunil Rattu of Old Bridge, N.J. and 24-year-old Radha Ghetia of Parlin, N.J. and forced them at gunpoint into a vehicle.
Rattu and Ghetia were in Atlantic City to celebrate their graduation from nursing school, Rattu’s family said.
Ghetia called Rattu’s family Monday to describe the horror of the entire exchange.
“They told them, ‘don't worry we're not gonna kill you guys just give us everything -- whatever you have’,” said Jassie Rattu, the victim’s sister.
The three men forced Ghetia to drive several blocks to an alley, police say.
The three men allegedly got out of the car before turning back and shooting through the glass, Ghetia told Rattu’s family.
A woman passing by saw Ghetia covered in blood and called 9-1-1.
“The lady was coming down the alleyway and she had blood on her. And she said, 9-1-1, can you please call 9-1-1,” Aurelia Lyons told NBC Philadelphia.
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Authorities say that attackers fled on foot with the victims’ belongings after shooting them.
Police are searching for the three persons of interest in the surveillance video, as well as a 2003 gray Saturn Ion with New Jersey plates UTN 66U that was stolen from Haddonfield in August. If you see the car call police, but do not approach it.
“We have reason to believe that persons who may be associated with that vehicle may be armed and certainly dangerous,” county Prosecutor Ted Housel told NBC Philadelphia.
In May 2010 Martin Caballero was killed after being carjacked from the Trump Taj Mahal parking garage as well. His alleged attackers are awaiting trial and prosecutors call it a random coincidence.
The folks at Trump expressed their condolences in a statement:
"Our sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the involved persons and families. We are working with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit and the Atlantic City Police to assist with their ongoing investigation. We have supplied surveillance photos to the police and are confident that the persons who committed these crimes will be apprehended."
The Taj Mahal says that since May of 2010, it’s spent an additional half-million dollars on security and has taken several steps to increase patrols in the self-park garage.
Call Atlantic City Police or Atlantic County prosecutors if you recognize the men seen on that surveillance video.
As for the victim's family, they are left with a hole in their hearts.
“Take the car, take the money, take whatever you want -- you don't take somebody’s life,” said Anil Rattu, the victim’s brother.
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