Police K9 Helps Lead to Arrest of Three on Guns, Drugs Charges

Three Atlantic County men have been arrested on drugs and weapons charges in two separate incidents after Pleasantville Police found drugs and firearms in their vehicles, police said.

On Friday, Dec. 19, a Lexus ES300 was stopped by police near Tilton Avenue and Broad Street for traffic violations. Police discovered that the passenger in the vehicle, Manuel Peeler, 30, of Egg Harbor Township, was wanted for drugs and weapons charges from another jurisdiction, according to The Press of Atlantic City.

Pleasantville officer David Aristizabal had his K9 partner, Dozer, sniff the exterior of the vehicle, uncovering drugs, The Press said. Police subsequently searched the interior of the vehicle and allegedly discovered a 9mm handgun, loaded with hollow-point bullets, and evidence of drug distribution.

The driver of the vehicle, Lawrence Rooks, 26, of Atlantic City, and Peeler were arrested and charged with weapons charges, according to The Atlantic City Press. They were transported to Atlantic County Jail. Information regarding bail was not available.

In a separate incident on Sunday, Dec. 28, a vehicle was stopped by police at Decatur Avenue and Main Street around noon. The driver, Jeffrey Austin, 25, of Galloway, was arrested on outstanding warrants, The Press reported. Dozer was present on the scene again and performed another exterior sniff of the vehicle, uncovering drugs.

Police then searched the interior of the vehicle and allegedly recovered marijuana and two handguns — a 9mm handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets and a .357 revolver, according to The Atlantic City Press.