Atlantic city cops recover two loaded hand guns in unrelated traffic stops — Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – On October 7, 2020, separate motor vehicle stops resulted in the recovery of two loaded handguns and the arrest of two men. At 12:37 am, Officers Wahab Malik and Enrique Badillo conducted a motor vehicle stop at Indiana and Pacific Avenues. During the stop, the driver, Shamar Scott, ran from the vehicle. Officers chased him to the first block of North Indiana Avenue where Scott attempted to hide. He was taken into custody without further incident. The officers returned to the vehicle and located a loaded handgun in a compartment in the driver’s side door and 500 bags of heroin.

An hour later at 1:37 am, Officer Jonathan Figueroa conducted a motor vehicle stop at Marshall Avenue and Wine Street after observing the driver. Officer Figueroa had recently stopped the same man and he did not have a driver’s license. While speaking with the occupants, Officer Figeuroa could smell marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A bag was located that contained a mason jar with marijuana and a loaded handgun. The bag belonged to the vehicle’s passenger, Roni Cruz, who was arrested. The driver was released with a motor vehicle summons.

ARRESTED: Shamar Scott, 25, of Blackwood, NJ.
CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of controlled dangerous substance (CDS), possession with intent to distribute CDS, obstruction of justice, and motor vehicle summons.
Scott was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

ARRESTED: Roni Cruz, 20, of Atlantic City.
CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

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