ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Atlantic City Police Department’s Emergency Response Team — including SWAT, Bomb Squad, and Crisis Negotiators — was activated three times in the past week in connection with separate incidents involving barricaded suspects and threats to public safety, authorities announced Thursday.
On June 11, detectives with the Special Investigations Section located Kenneth Epperson on the 900 block of Keener Avenue. Epperson, who was wanted by the Egg Harbor City Police Department, fled into a residence and refused to come out for approximately two hours. Crisis negotiators engaged with him, and he eventually surrendered to SWAT personnel.
Epperson was additionally charged for fleeing a motor vehicle stop earlier in the week. Officer John Bell had attempted to stop a fleeing vehicle on June 9 but had not pursued. After Epperson’s arrest, Bell identified him as the driver.
Barricaded suspect evades capture, later arrested for animal cruelty
On June 14, officers responded to a report of property damage at a residence on the first block of North Boston Avenue. The suspect, Anthony Copes, had multiple warrants and was previously evicted from the same property. When confronted, Copes fled inside the building. After a three-hour standoff, SWAT entered the home but did not locate him. Police believe Copes escaped before the perimeter was secured.
Copes was arrested the following day by Officer Robert McDevitt and was additionally charged with animal cruelty after police discovered a neglected Pitbull in his care.
Man accused of threatening teen, arrested after second incident
On June 17, officers responded to the 800 block of Maryland Avenue after Edwin Sanabia allegedly chased a teenager with a knife and exposed himself while making lewd remarks. Witnesses said Sanabia entered his residence and refused to respond to officers. The Emergency Response Team was called, but after several hours of attempted communication, SWAT entered the home and found it empty.
On June 18, Sanabia was seen returning to the residence. With the cooperation of family members, patrol officers arrested him without incident.
