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At 6:13 a.m. Friday, Atlantic City patrol officers responded to the 800 block of Maryland Avenue in reference to ShotSpotter alert.
Patrol officers found evidence of gunfire, according to Lt. Kevin Fair, a police department spokesman.
Surveillance Center personnel observed several males run into a residence, one armed with a rifle, in the same block, Fair said.
The occupants of the residence voluntarily surrendered a SWAT Team. A warranted search resulted in the recovery of a rifle, a machine gun, two handguns and additional ammunition, Fair said.
Four Atlantic City men, Faraji Blackwell, 27, Adresce Jones, 18, Joshua Maldonado, 18, and Elliot Simmons, 18, were transported to the Clayton G. Graham Public Safety Building for investigative purposes. The men were later charged with multiple weapons offenses.
The investigation was led by Detective Darrin Lorady.
At 12:57 p.m. on Friday, members of the SWAT Team and Special Investigations Section executed a court authorized residential search warrant related to the possession and distribution of narcotics in the first block of south Mansion Avenue.
Joaquin DeJesus, 51, of Atlantic City was arrested after detectives found four firearms, including a rifle and machine gun, more than 32 grams of cocaine, and items used in the distribution of narcotics in the residence, according to Fair. One of the firearms was reported stolen from Los Angeles.
The two-week investigation was led by Detective James Barrett.
Interim Officer in Charge James A. Sarkos said, “I am thankful that these dangerous weapons have been removed from the hands of violent offenders and that no one was injured during the course of today’s incidents."
All five suspects were being held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Anyone with information about the distribution of narcotics or weapons possession is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Special Investigations Section at 609-347-5858 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.
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