Driver arrested after fleeing from well-being check in atlantic city

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — A man was arrested on August 21, 2024, after fleeing from a well-being check initiated by the Atlantic City Police Department. The incident began when Officers Bao Pham and Robert Thompson were alerted by a concerned citizen to a driver who appeared to be asleep while stopped at a traffic light at Arkansas and Atlantic Avenues.

Upon arrival, the officers found the driver, identified as Anthony Friel, 49, of Villas, NJ, seemingly asleep in his vehicle. When Officer Pham attempted to check on Friel’s condition, Friel suddenly woke up and immediately fled the scene. He drove recklessly towards the Boardwalk, crashing through a barricade on Arkansas Avenue before driving onto the Boardwalk itself. Friel then exited the Boardwalk at Mississippi Avenue, breaking through another barricade, and continued towards the Atlantic City Expressway.

At this point, officers were not actively pursuing Friel, but he returned to Atlantic City shortly thereafter. Officers spotted his vehicle near Huron Avenue and initiated a pursuit. Friel eventually stopped his vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but was quickly apprehended by Officer Ivaylo Penchev and Sergeant Chris Miller. During the arrest, Friel was found to be in possession of six individual bags of heroin.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.

ARRESTED: Anthony Friel, 49, of Villas, NJ.

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