Complaints led to the arrests of three Atlantic City men and recovery of handguns, drugs and counterfeit money, police said.
Officers Joseph Kelly and Matthew Stollenwerk were on foot patrol the 1700 block of Atlantic Avenue in response to complaints from merchants and residents regarding drug-dealing and loitering, Sgt. Kevin Fair said.
Just after 1 p.m. Thursday, they saw Tyshand Lamar and Marqua Graham-Hampton stopped on their bicycles talking to a driver in a parked car, Fair said.
It was holding up traffic and causing drivers to have to change lanes, according to the report.
As the officers tried to speak with them, the men rode away and refused to stop, Fair said.
The officers chased them south on Indiana Avenue but lost sight on Pacific Avenue.
Officers monitoring cameras in the Surveillance Center then saw them on the Boardwalk.
Officers Alberto Valles and Christopher Dodson found Graham-Hampton on the beach block of Michigan Avenue.
As they approached, Graham-Hampton took a handgun from his waistband and threw it under a parked car, according to the report. He was taken into custody without incident.
The handgun, loaded with hollow-point ammunition, was recovered from under the vehicle, Fair said. Graham-Hampton, 24, was found in possession of marijuana and $3,600 in counterfeit currency.
Kelly continued running into the area when he observed Lamar exiting the Boardwalk.
Lamar continued to disregard Kelly’s order to stop and rode his bicycle into the Bally’s Hotel and Casino bus lobby, Fair said.
Lamar, 28, jumped off the bicycle and attempted to enter the lobby, but officers were able to take him into custody.
Lamar was found in possession of 340 bags of heroin, marijuana, $1,700 in counterfeit currency and $930 in cash, according to the report. He also had two active warrants, including one out of Pennsylvania.
Both men were charged with drug and gun offenses, including possession of a weapon by a convicted person. They also were charged with tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy.
While that was happening, Detective Darrin Lorady got information that there was ongoing drug activity at the Carolina Village Apartment complex.
As Lorady and other detectives entered the complex, Quanife Wynn began to walk away, Fair said.
He had a small bag around his neck that was described as possibly having narcotics in it.
Sgt. Richard Andrews approached Wynn and noticed he was holding a marijuana blunt. Wynn was taken into custody.
A gun loaded with hollow-point ammunition was found in the bag, Fair said.
Wynn, 18, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of hollow-point ammunition and possession of CDS.
All three are being held in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
