A Ventnor police officer received praise for talking down a suspected burglar who jumped from one roof to another before being taken into custody Monday night.
A resident contacted police at 8:55 p.m. Monday to report a burglary attempt at the side door of Way of Life Church on the 5000 block of Ventnor Avenue.
When officers arrived, they noted evidence of an attempted burglary on the side door and saw a man fleeing the area on foot. A pursuit ensured and the suspect, who ignored police commands, climbed onto a roof of a nearby home and jumped to an adjacent rooftop.
Officer Michael Newell Jr. started speaking with the man and convinced him to come down from the roof. He was placed into custody without further incident, Chief Joseph Fussner said.
The man was identified as Christopher J. Camargo, 31, of Manchester, Ocean County. He was charged on a summons with criminal attempted burglary, criminal mischief and resisting arrest.
He was then lodged in the Atlantic County Justice Facility on several outstanding warrants for shoplifting out of other jurisdictions, court records show.
Fussner commended the resident for immediately contacting police and emphasized that residents should call police when they see any suspicious activity.
He also praised Newell for talking the suspect off the roof, which “resulted in a successful conclusion to this incident.”
