For Immediate Release:  June 28, 2021

Surveillance operations aided detectives of the Special Investigations Section in the recovery of two handguns and arrests of two men in separate incidents.  One incident included a man who was rescued after attempting to flee by swimming in the bay.

On June 28, Detectives Christopher Smith and Christopher Dodson were conducting surveillance in the area of Texas and Pacific Avenues when they observed a Ford Explorer parked in a parking lot.  The two occupants engaged in a narcotic transaction with a man who approached them.  After the transaction, the man returned to his vehicle and left.  Assisting detectives began to follow the vehicle.

Detectives Smith and Dodson attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop of the Explorer in the parking lot.  While approaching the vehicle, the driver, Dwayne Townsend, reversed the Explorer and crashed into Detective Dodson’s vehicle.  Townsend then sped forward causing Detective Smith to quickly move to safety.  The vehicle than sped away running through a fence before entering Pacific Avenue.  The detectives who were attempting to stop the other vehicle observed Townsend fleeing and diverted their attention to him. 

With assistance from several witnesses, the Explorer was located unoccupied at Morris and Sunset Avenues.  Officers quickly located Townsend attempting to swim in the bay.  Officers called for Townsend to exit the water and surrender, but he refused.  He later voluntarily exited the water on to a dock before jumping back in as officers approached.  Townsend began to struggle and appeared to be going under water.  Sergeant Michael Tracy rescued Townsend and pulled him to safety.  Townsend was fully clothed and struggling to breathe.  Emergency personnel were summoned and Townsend had to be carried by officers from the dock.  He was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for treatment.

At the time of his rescue, Townsend was found in possession of two satchels.  One satchel contained a loaded, defaced handgun.  The other contained heroin, marijuana, and cocaine.  Townsend had two outstanding warrants for his arrest issued by the United States Marshals Service and Atlantic County Sheriff’s Office.

The second man in the vehicle was not apprehended.   

On June 24, detectives were conducting surveillance in the 1300 block of Caspian Avenue when they observed a narcotics transaction between Deshone Dunston and a second man.  Dunston removed narcotics from a satchel he was carrying.  After the transaction, Dunston entered his residence and left a short time later.  Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop with Dunston as the passenger.  He was still in possession of his satchel that was found to contain a loaded handgun and a small amount of marijuana packaged for sale.  Dunston was arrested without incident.    

The investigation was led by Detective Alberto Valles.

ARRESTED:  Dwayne Townsend, 27, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Assault by auto, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of a large capacity magazine, certain person not to possess a weapon, obstruction of justice, eluding, possession of CDS (three counts), possession with intent to distribute CDS (three counts), possession of narcotic paraphernalia, and contempt of court (two counts).

Townsend will be remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility upon his release from the medical center.

ARRESTED:  Deshone Dunston, 22, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, and money laundering. 

Dunston was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

Charges are mere accusations, and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about the distribution of narcotics is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.

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Alert sent on 06/29/2021 at 5:17PM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

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