Brigantine is third town to file charges against suspect who fled Galloway mayor

A Port Republic man already facing burglary charges in two Atlantic  County towns has now been charged by Brigantine police.
George Dean, 31, first captured attention when Galloway Township Mayor Tony Coppola chased him down after he allegedly returned to the Smithville business he previously burglarized.
Dean was released from jail and then garnered new charges in Atlantic City, where police said he robbed two businesses.
Now, an investigation has linked Dean to the Oct. 22 burglary at the Pirate’s Den in Brigantine.
Dean allegedly broke into the restaurant the same day surveillance video captured him burglarizing Coppola’s Fred and Ethel’s in Smithville.
Detective William Ferris Jr. was called to the Pirate’s Den once staff discovered the burglary.
After an investigation using physical evidence and video surveillance, Ferris charged Dean with burglary, theft and criminal mischief.
Dean was served his charges in the Atlantic County Justice Facility, where he has been since his arrest in Atlantic City.

Related stories...

Galloway mayor chases down burglary suspect

Galloway Township’s mayor chased down a suspect in the burglary of his restaurant, police said Thursday.It was a jacket embroidered with the word “Loser” that apparently led to his downfall.George Dean Jr. was shown wearing the jacket in surveillance footage from Fred and Ethel’s that captured a burglary Tuesday.Mayor Anthony Coppola Jr. owns the restaurant.Dean ... Read more

Suspect who fled Galloway mayor back in jail in two Atlantic City robberies

A burglary suspect chased down Galloway Township’s mayor is back in jail after allegedly robbing two Atlantic City stores — including one where he said he had a gun.George Dean Jr. was first arrested last Wednesday, after he returned to Fred and Ethel’s in Smithville, where surveillance video allegedly shows him in a burglarizing the ... Read more