For Immediate Release:  September 20, 2022.

On September 16, 2022, a ShotSpotter alert led to the arrest of three men and the recovery of handguns and drugs. 

At 10:07 PM, patrol officers responded to the area of the first block of north Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard for a report of shots fired. Officers responded to the area but did not locate a victim or evidence of gunfire. With assistance from Surveillance Center personnel, two vehicles were observed that were possibly involved in the shooting. The description of the vehicles was immediately broadcasted to responding units.

Shortly after, Officer Nickolas Cardani observed one of the vehicles in the rear parking lot of an apartment building in the first block of north Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard with three men leaning against the vehicle. Officers Anthony Nastasi and Atiqul Islam arrived as backup. Upon observing the officers, the three men, Brian Lee, Anthony Faulkner, and Marcell Ellis, began to walk away. Lieutenant Mark Benjamin Sr., Officer Melvin Murray III, and responding officers converged on the men and successfully detained them.

Lee was found to be in possession of a loaded handgun, 6 grams of suspected cocaine, and 62 grams of marijuana. Officers later determined the handgun to be stolen. Faulkner was also found in possession of a loaded handgun and 78 grams of marijuana. Ellis was found in possession of 292 grams of synthetic marijuana and 24 grams of raw marijuana. $10,879 in US currency believed to be proceeds of narcotics sales was seized from Ellis. All three men were arrested without incident.  

ARRESTED: Brian Lee, 20, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, possession of CDS (2 counts), possession with the intent to distribute CDS (2 counts), and receiving stolen property. 

ARRESTED:  Anthony Faulkner, 30, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, certain persons not to possess weapons, possession of a weapon while committing a CDS offense, possession of CDS, and possession with the intent to distribute CDS.

ARRESTED: Marcell Ellis, 23, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Possession of CDS, possession with the intent to distribute CDS, possession with intent to distribute CDS within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of CDS within 500 feet of a public park, and possession of CDS paraphernalia.

Lee, Faulkner, and Ellis were remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility. The public is reminded that charges are mere allegations and the accused are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information is urged to call the Atlantic City Police Department at 609-347-5780 or the Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766.  Information can also be texted to tip411 (847411).  Begin the text with ACPD.  All texts are anonymous.

Alert sent on 09/20/2022 at 4:08PM EDT

To submit a tip via text message text ACPD and your tip to 847411

Alert delivered to the following groups: Atlantic City PD, Business Alerts, Press Releases, Westside Civic Association, Westside Homeowners Protective Association, Tanger Outlet, Chelsea Neighborhood Civic Association, Venice Park Civic Association, Marina District, Stanley Homes Village, First Ward Civic Association, Carver Hall, Chelsea Heights, Bungalow Park Civic Association, The Cove Condo Association, CRDA, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Security Directors , City Adminstration, Communications, and Atlantic City Boardwalk Committee

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