Two separate drug deals observed by Atlantic City officers led to arrests and guns.
Detectives Christopher Smith and Christopher Dodson were watching the area of Texas and Pacific avenues Monday when the saw two people inside a Ford Explorer engage in a drug deal with a man who approached the vehicle in a parking lot, Lt. Kevin Fair said.
As the officers approached the vehicle, Dwayne Townsend put the Explorer into reverse, and crashed into Dodson's vehicle, according to the report.
He then went forward, causing Smith to jump out of the way, Fair said.
Townsend then sped away through a fence onto Pacific Avenue, according to the report.
Officers found the unoccupied Explorer at Morris and Sunset avenues, with help from several witnesses, Fair said.
They then found Townsend trying to swim away in the bay.
He refused orders to get out of the water, but finally did come onto the doc before jumping back in as officers approached, Fair said.
Townsend then began to struggle and appeared to be going under water. Sgt. Michael Tracy pulled him to safety, Fair said.
Townsend was struggling to breathe and had to be carried from the dock by officers, Fair said. He was taken to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center's City Campus for treatment.
Townsend had two satchels, according to the report. One had a loaded, defaced handgun. The other had heroin, marijuana and cocaine.
He also had two outstanding warrants for his arrest issued by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Atlantic County Sheriff's Office.
Townsend, 27, is charged with assault by auto, aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense, possession of a defaced firearm, possession of a large-capacity magazine, certain person not to possess a weapon, obstruction of justice and eluding, three counts each of drug possession and possession with intent to distribute, two counts of contempt of court, and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
He will be remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility after he is medically cleared.
Four days earlier, detectives were conducting surveillance in the 1300 block of Caspian Avenue when they saw a drug deal between Deshone Dunston and another man, Fair said.
Dunston took drugs from a satchel he was carrying, Fair said.
Police conducted a motor vehicle stop after he left his residence and found Dunston still with the satchel. Inside police found a small amount of marijuana packaged for sale and a loaded handgun, Fair said.
Dunston was arrested without incident.
Dunston, 22, is charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense and money laundering.
