For Immediate Release:  May 8, 2024

The Atlantic City Police Department is providing a summary of highlighted calls for service that occurred on May 7 and 8, 2024 during an 11-hour period.  During this period, two separate patrol platoons were working.  The Bravo 2 patrol shift began their shift at 4:00 PM on May 7 and concluded at 3:00 AM the following day.  The Charlie 2 patrol shift began their shift at 9:00 PM.  During the hours of 4:00 PM to 3:00 AM, there were 150 calls for service that were handled or initiated.  During these calls, there were 10 arrests for a variety of crimes including robbery and weapons possession.

At 5:39 PM, Officer Kleovoulos Zissimopoulos was doing a property check at the Circle K located in the 2000 block of Atlantic Avenue.  He was told that a vehicle had fled after obtaining gasoline and failing to pay the appropriate charge.  Before fleeing, a rear passenger brandished a handgun.  Officer Zissimopoulos obtained a vehicle description and provided it to officers.

Officer John Bell was familiar with the vehicle and the man that was typically the driver.  He located the occupied vehicle in the 1500 block of Sewell Avenue.  The five occupants were detained and three ultimately arrested. The driver, Marahd Townsend, and passengers, Yamaad Gilliam-Bey and a 15-year-old juvenile male, were taken into custody without incident.  The juvenile was found in possession of a loaded handgun in his waistband.  It was determined that the other two individuals entered the vehicle after the robbery occurred and were released with no charges.

At 6:13 PM, Officer Jose Zamorano and K9 Officer Melvin Murray III responded to the 100 north block of North Carolina Avenue for a woman crying.  The officers located a man and woman, who had previously been involved in a dating relationship, who were in a verbal altercation.  The woman, Maria Suriel, was arrested after officers observed injuries to the man. 

While handling this call, the officers encountered Veronica Blount.  Blount was arrested after she was identified as having an active warrant for her arrest related to a burglary and assault that occurred on April 25.  During that incident, Blount forced her way into her neighbor’s residence and assaulted her. 

At 6:45 PM, members of the Special Investigations Section observed Michael Williams beginning to engage in a narcotics transaction in the first block of south Florida Avenue.  Upon seeing the detectives, Williams sped off on his electric bike.  The detectives arrested Williams who was found in possession of 50 individual bags of heroin, a small amount of methamphetamine, and prescription pills.  Williams was also found to have an active warrant for his arrest.

At 7:11 PM, Officer Wen You responded to the 100 block of Vermont Terrace for a report of an attempted theft.  The homeowner observed Garver Vila attempting to steal a ladder and carry it away while riding a bike.  After attempting to ride away, Vila dropped the ladder.  He was located and arrested by Officer Jonathan Revolus. 

At 11:07 PM, patrol officers responded to the 1400 block of Atlantic Avenue for a ShotSpotter alert.  Officers arrived and located a male, 15, suffering from a gunshot wound.  Officer Andrew Xiques treated the victim’s injuries before he was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, for a non-life-threatening injury.  Officers were able to obtain a description of the suspect vehicle.

Within 20 minutes, Sergeant John Waddell located the vehicle unoccupied in the 800 block of Maryland Avenue.  The vehicle had been reported stolen from Bellmawr, NJ, and evidence of gunfire was located inside the vehicle. 

The investigation is being led by detectives of the Violent Crimes Unit.

At 11:50 PM, Officers Ivaylo Penchev and Warren Young responded to the 400 block of Madison Avenue for a report of a man wandering in the rear of a residence.  Eric Powell was arrested and found to have several warrants for his arrest. 

At 12:42 AM, an 11-year-old male, Michael Love, was reported missing by his grandmother.  Officers searched the area but were unsuccessful in locating him.  Love was last seen by a family member in the 1500 block of Atlantic Avenue but did not stop him.  Love was later located at a family member’s residence.

At 2:48 AM, patrol officers responded to Caesars Atlantic City in reference to Eugene Hayward who was trespassing.  During the interaction, Heyward refused the officer’s orders to leave the premises and attempted to walk further into the property.  Heyward was irate and yelling at officers.  While attempting to get Heyward to exit, he became combative and was arrested.  While attempting to take Heyward into custody, he resisted and bit Officer Heriberto Barrios-Gomez on the leg.  Officer Barrios-Gomez was treated at the medical center for a minor injury.

At 2:49 AM, Officer Rudolph Sime came across a vehicle parked in the roadway in the 800 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.  The vehicle was unoccupied.  Shortly after, the owner, Erica Butler, came outside and was arrested after being found to have several active warrants.

“This 11-hour period is a small snippet of the incredible work being done by the members of this department each and every day,” said Chief James Sarkos.  “These officers effectively handled a variety of calls and the needs of the community.  There is no one else I would rather have policing this City than these men and women.  I am extremely proud of their unwavering dedication, professionalism, and commitment.”

ARRESTED:  A 15-year-old from Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a high-capacity magazine, and conspiracy.

The juvenile was transported to Harborfields Detention Facility.

ARRESTED:  Marahd Townsend, 18, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a high-capacity magazine, conspiracy, and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.

Townsend was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED:  Yamaad Gilliam-Bey, 19, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a high-capacity magazine, conspiracy, and employing a juvenile in the commission of a crime.

Gilliam-Bey was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED:  Maria Suriel, 42, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Simple assault.

Suriel was released on a summons with a future court date.

ARRESTED:  Veronica Blount, 37, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Burglary, simple assault, and harassment.

Blount was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED:  Michael Williams, 31, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Possession of CDS (three counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute (three counts), possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school zone (three counts), possession of CDS paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, and resisting arrest.

Williams was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED:  Garver Vila, 43, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Theft.

Vila was released on a summons with a future court date.

ARRESTED:  Eric Powell, 28, Norristown, NJ.

CHARGES:  Contempt of court.

Powell was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED:  Eugene Heyward, 42, of Conshohocken, PA.

CHARGES:  Aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, and obstruction of justice.

Heyward was released on a summons with a future court date.

ARRESTED:  Erica Butler, 39, of Absecon, NJ.

CHARGES:  Contempt of court.

Butler was released on her own recognizance with a future court date.

These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt.  In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Anyone with information about any of these incidents is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit at 609-347-5766 or submit a text anonymously to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.

###

Alert sent on 05/08/2024 at 1:10PM EDT

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

Alert delivered to the following groups: Atlantic City PD, Business Alerts, Press Releases, Westside Civic Association, Westside Homeowners Protective Association, Tanger Outlet, Chelsea Neighborhood Civic Association, Venice Park Civic Association, Marina District, Stanley Homes Village, First Ward Civic Association, Carver Hall, Chelsea Heights, Bungalow Park Civic Association, The Cove Condo Association, CRDA, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Security Directors , City Adminstration, Communications, and Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee

Link to Agency