A Philadelphia woman with 15 active warrants was jailed after she allegedly spit on a merchant and threatening him with a gun that turned out to be fake.
Police were called to the 2500 block of the Boardwalk at 11:39 a.m. Tuesday, after the woman fled, according to the report.
The merchant told police that Fatima Gadson was blocking the entrance when he went to open the store, Capt. Kevin Fair said.
Gadson and the merchant became involved in a verbal altercation, when she spit on him, according to the report.
The merchant called 911, grabbing Gadson by the shirt when she tried to run, Fair said.
Gadson then lifted up her shirt, showing the handle of a firearm and threatened to kill the merchant. The merchant let go of the shirt and Gadson fled on a bicycle, Fair said.
Members of the department’s Surveillance Center were able to obtain video surveillance of Gadson fleeing on Texas Avenue.
A short time later, Officers Rebecca Seabrook and George Mancuso located Gadson’s bike in the 2500 block of Pacific Avenue, Fair said. They then found Gadson about to enter a convenience store with a firearm in her hand with an orange tip. It was not known what type of firearm Gadson was holding.
The officers ordered Gadson to drop the weapon, but she continued into the store, Fair said.
The officers followed Gadson into the store continuing to give orders to drop the weapon and safeguard any patrons inside, according to the report. After more verbal commands, Gadson dropped the firearm which was determined to be an imitation firearm.
Gadson, 33, was found to have 15 active warrants, most for failures to appear out of Camden, court records show.
She is in the Atlantic County Justice Facility charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, simple assault, terrorist threats and obstruction of justice.
