An observant resident is credited with leading to the arrest of a suspect in a convenience store burglary. Officers responded to the Gift & Convenience store in the 3100 block of Atlantic Avenue at 12:48 Monday morning for a smashed front door. Officer Eric Evans arrived to find the front door open and the window smashed out, Sgt. Kevin Fair said. While more officers were responding, Evans saw a man inside the store, according to the report. K-9 Officer Marinela Pali, and her partner, Roxy, responded. The suspect, later identified as Rafael Gonzalez, ignored multiple commands to leave, and instead went out of the officers' view, Fair said. The officers went into the store, with Pali continuing to give commands for Gonzalez to surrender, according to the report. He eventually was taken into custody without incident, Fair said. Gonzalez was found with cash, change and narcotic paraphernalia, Fair said. The cash register was damaged during the burglary, along with damage to the back door made in an unsuccessful attempt to escape. Gonzalez, 48, of Atlantic City, is charged with burglary, theft and possession of CDS paraphernalia. He was released on a summons.
