VENTNOR – Police here arrested three men and a woman Friday Nov. 8 after stopping a vehicle for speeding on Dorset and Atlantic avenues.

It was 11:30 a.m. when Ptl. James Arentz stopped a vehicle being driven by Kimberly A. Baldwin, 43, of Egg Harbor Township. Baldwin had three passengers in the car, according to a release from Capt. Joe Fussner.

During his initial investigation, Arentz observed items in the vehicle associated with the use of illicit drugs and after briefly talking with the driver, believed that she may be impaired.

While investigating, passengers Erich L. Lewis, 32, of Vineland and Ahmad S. McKinley, 25, of Atlantic City bolted from the vehicle and fled on foot.

Additional officers responded and after a brief foot pursuit, both men were apprehended and taken into custody by Ptl. Kevin Brady and Ptl. Michael Newell.

While fleeing, Lewis was observed discarding a bag under a nearby parked vehicle. The bag was recovered and contained 220 bags of suspected heroin and a substantial amount of cash. Upon search, McKinley was found to have suspected heroin in his possession. A search of the vehicle also revealed CDS and drug paraphernalia.

Baldwin was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. She was processed and released on summons.

The third passenger who remained in the vehicle, Eric P. Salata, 32, of Mays Landing, was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of hypodermic syringes. He was processed and released on summons.

McKinley was charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on a summons. McKinley was found to have active warrants for his arrest and was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on those warrants.

Lewis was charged with obstructing the administration of law, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within a public park area, possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on a summons. Lewis was found to have multiple active warrants and he was also remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility on those warrants.

The Galloway Township Police Department assisted in identifying the drugs.

Categories: Downbeach

Nanette LoBiondo Galloway

Award winning journalist covering news, events and people of Atlantic County for more than 20 years.