A five month investigation by the Atlantic City Police Department’s Vice Unit resulted in charges against 21 people, police announced Friday.
“Operation Renaissance Man” focused on distribution of controlled dangerous substances in the Renaissance Plaza shopping center on Renaissance Way in Atlantic City.
Detective Sgt. Rodney Ruark went undercover and purchased illegal drugs from 13 different people, Lt. James Sarkos said. Sgt. Andrews, Detectives Heidi Clayton, Detective Mike Ruzzo, Kevin Fair and Will Herrerias, along with Galloway Township Detective Brian Casey also assisted in the investigation.
Ronald Wilkins, 51, of Atlantic City, was arrested twice – on Jan. 14 and Monday for alleged distribution of heroin while working as a uniformed security guard at the Plaza, police said. Wilkins was served with a restraining order and cannot be within 500 feet of the shopping center, police said.
Other suspects arrested include:
Kareem Young, 21, of Atlantic City, Preston Harmon, 46, of Atlantic City, Keith Jackson, 34, of Atlantic City, and Brandon Degree, 25, of Galloway Township, for allegedly selling heroin in a park zone. Ivan Jackson, 29, of Galloway Township, is wanted on those charges.
Laquay Spence, 22 of Atlantic City, was charged with distribution of heroin, and Dorren Bush, 50, of Atlantic City and Kenneth Wolfe, 50, of Atlantic City were arrested for possession of heroin.
Police also charged James Castle, 27, of Atlantic City with distribution of Xanex and Jeannet Santiago, 38, of Atlantic City for possession of Xanax.
Thomas Bryant, 18, of Atlantic City, and Joel Ray, 27, of Staten Island N.Y., were charged with selling cocaine, police said. David Peck, 35, of Pompano Beach Fla., was charged with conspiracy for distribution of heroin.
Charles Purnell, 55, Atlantic City, and Claude Gandy, 57, of Atlantic City, are wanted for allegedly selling Hydrocodone.
Darnell Stone, 44, of Atlantic City, is wanted for allegedly selling Roxicet.
Anthony Dobson, 51, of Atlantic City, is wanted for alleged sale of marijuana.
David Robinson, 32, of Atlantic City; and Barbara Senterfit, 45, of Atlantic City, are wanted for theft after allegedly trying to steal less than $200 from Ruark. Bernard Jones, 40, of Atlantic City, was arrested on those charges.
In total the operation, which took place between September through January, seized $10,682 in cash, 87 grams of cocaine valued at $8,700 and 229 bags of heroin valued at $2,290.
