For Immediate Release:  June 19, 2025

The Atlantic City Police Department’s Emergency Response Team has been activated three times over the last week.  The emergency response team consists of the SWAT Team, Bomb Squad, and Crisis Negotiation Team.

On June 11, 2025, Special Investigations Section detectives located Kenneth Epperson in the 900 block of Keener Avenue as he was getting out of a vehicle.  Epperson was wanted by the Egg Harbor City Police Department.  Upon seeing the detectives, Epperson fled into a residence and refused to come out for approximately two hours.  Crisis negotiators were able to speak with Epperson who surrendered to the SWAT operators.

Epperson was additionally charged with fleeing from a motor vehicle stop by Officer John Bell.  On June 9, Officer Bell attempted to stop a vehicle that fled.  Officer Bell did not pursue the vehicle and was investigating the identity of the driver.  After Epperson’s arrest, Bell was able to identify Epperson as the driver. 

On June 14, patrol officers responded to a residence in the first block of north Boston Avenue for a report of a man damaging the residence.  Officers were familiar with Anthony Copes and were aware that he had multiple active warrants for his arrest for charges that included burglary at the same property several days earlier.  Copes had been evicted from living at the residence.  Officers located Copes outside of the multi-unit property when he fled inside.  Officers attempted to quickly establish a perimeter and the emergency response team was activated.  After three hours of attempting to contact Copes, SWAT team members entered the residence.  Copes was not located and is believed to have fled before additional officers arrived to establish the perimeter.

On June 15, Copes was arrested by Officer Robert McDevitt.  Copes was additionally charged with animal cruelty after officers located a Pitbull belonging to Copes had been neglected.

On June 17, patrol officers responded to the 800 block of Maryland Avenue after a man threatened a neighbor.  It was reported that Edwin Sanabia had threatened a teenager with a knife, chased him, and exposed his genitals while making lewd comments.  Multiple witnesses reported to officers that Sanabia entered his residence.  Officers attempted to contact Sanabia, but there was no response.  The emergency response team arrived and attempted to communicate with Sanabia.  SWAT Team members entered the residence after several hours of attempted communication, but Sanabia was not home.  It is believed that he fled the residence shortly after the incident before officers initially arrived on scene.

On June 18, a witness reported seeing Sanabia back at the residence.  Patrol officers worked with family members to take Sanabia into custody without incident. 

ARRESTED:  Kenneth Epperson Jr., 20, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Resisting arrest, obstruction of justice, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and eluding.

ARRESTED:  Anthony Copes, 35, of Pleasantville, NJ.

CHARGES:  Burglary, criminal mischief, and animal cruelty. 

ARRESTED:  Edwin Sanabia, 26, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES:  Aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and lewdness.

All three men were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.   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 these incidents is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766 or submit a text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.

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Alert sent on 06/19/2025 at 4:37PM EDT

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

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