GLOUCESTER TWP, NJ – A woman who was being held against her will at gunpoint inside a South Florida Avenue apartment was able to alert police by using ‘code words’ while talking to a 911 dispatcher.
On Wednesday, an Atlantic City man was arrested for holding a woman against her will at gunpoint. Police later learned the gun used in the incident was a replica firearm.
Police responded to the apartment at around 12:40 pm. As a precaution, responding patrol units shut down pedestrian and vehicular traffic on the block until additional information could be obtained.
“Police communications soon came in contact with the victim and remained on the line with her. The victim used code words until the dispatcher understood what she was trying to say,” the Gloucester Township Police Department said. “Dispatchers learned that there were two men and a woman inside the apartment and that one of the men had a handgun. Dispatchers relayed this information to the officers on scene.”
The Atlantic City SWAT team was mobilized and responded to the scene. Upon their arrival, two adults, a man and a woman, exited the apartment.
The suspect, Khalil Swain, exited the apartment soon thereafter.
“Swain was detained by the officers for investigatory purposes. The ensuing investigation led to a search of the apartment where officers located a backpack belonging to Swain,” detectives said. “Inside the backpack a replica handgun was discovered along with suspected crack cocaine and heroin.”
Swain was charged with possession of an imitation firearm, possession of an imitation firearm for an unlawful purpose, criminal restraint, aggravated assault, possession of CDS, and certain persons not to possess weapons.