Teachers Charged in Atlantic City Robbery Case

Two women face charges after allegedly using a victim's facial recognition to steal money at a local casino.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Financial Crime

Teachers Charged in Atlantic City Robbery Case

Authorities in Atlantic City charged Amanda Crafts and Veda Engel with robbery and conspiracy following an incident at Harrah's Atlantic City. The suspects allegedly restrained a victim to facilitate unauthorized financial transactions via facial recognition.

Why it matters

The case highlights emerging risks where physical restraint is used to bypass biometric security features on mobile devices. Investigators are addressing how these sophisticated digital theft methods impact personal property security in high-traffic tourist areas.

Amanda Crafts and Veda Engel have been granted pretrial release as of October 15, 2026. The court mandated bi-weekly check-ins and prohibited contact between the defendants and the victim.

The players

Amanda Crafts

The 35-year-old defendant is a computer teacher employed at Middle Township Middle School.

Veda Engel

The 23-year-old defendant faces additional charges of prostitution alongside her robbery and conspiracy counts.

The details

The suspects allegedly held the victim down on a bed at Harrah's Atlantic City while using the victim's phone to complete four separate Apple Pay transactions. The total amount taken during the incident was $1,250, according to law enforcement records.

October 9, 2026: The alleged robbery occurred at Harrah's Atlantic City.
October 15, 2026: The court granted pretrial release to both suspects.

Legal Context

This case reflects a growing trend of crimes involving the exploitation of mobile biometric security features. It marks a departure from traditional pickpocketing as suspects increasingly rely on physical intimidation to unlock secure digital assets.

Residents and casino visitors are advised to be cautious with device security when in public or with acquaintances. The court order now restricts the defendants from contacting each other, aiming to prevent further coordinated activity.

The takeaway

Users should consider disabling facial recognition for payment services if they frequently visit high-risk or crowded environments. Keeping device security settings updated is a critical step in protecting personal accounts from physical coercion tactics.