Van Stolen From Manahawkin Found In AC; Driver Had Heroin: PD

UPDATE: Stafford police are still investigating the theft and figuring out who stole it, said Captain James R. Vaughn. It was stolen Aug. 15 from the ShopRite parking lot. It has since been returned to the owner.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Atlantic City police found a man driving a van Sunday that was reported stolen from Manahawkin, officials said. Authorities had to chase the man while driving and on foot.

Michael Bell, of Atlantic City, refused to stop when police pulled him over, authorities said. Officer Bayron Zelaya-Chavez chased him before Bell jumped out of the vehicle and ran, police said. Bell put his vehicle in reverse so it hit the police car, officials said.

Police confronted Bell as he tried to jump a fence. Bell turned away and yelled at the officer to shoot him as he held his waistband, police said. Zelaya-Chavez created distance and de-escalated the situation.

Bell fled up the stairs of a deck and jumped to the ground as police continued the chase. Two Atlantic City officers found Bell and arrested him. He was carrying 10 bags of heroin and had several warrants and a suspended license, police said.

Bell, 44, was charged with receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, drug possession, drug-paraphernalia possession, multiple active warrants and multiple motor-vehicle summonses. He was taken to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

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