Loaded Gun Found After Prostitution Arrest: Gloucester Twp. PD

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — An arrest for prostitution led to the recovery of a loaded gun and a large amount of drug paraphernalia in Gloucester Township earlier this week, according to police.

Gloucester Township police said they were conducting a pro-active investigation in the area of the Howard Johnson Inn at 832 N. Black Horse Pike at about 11 p.m. on Nov. 15 when they became aware of a woman being solicited for prostitution.

After further investigation, police said they arrested 30-year-old Nikolaus Breland, of Camden, for drug possession and promoting prostitution. Barbara Cantz, 30 of Woodbury, was arrested for promoting prostitution, police said. They were both released pending future court appearances.

Two other women were also arrested, but released without being charged, police said. Those women offered services by the Gloucester Township Police Department and their licensed clinical social worker, police said.

Police said they also impounded the car Breland was driving at the time of the arrests. On Nov. 20, police executed a search warrant on the car. During the search, police said they recovered a loaded 9 mm Taurus semiautomatic handgun, electronic equipment, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia.

Following the search, 29-year-old Janele Velas of Hellertown, PA, was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a high capacity pistol magazine. Velas was arrested on Monday, processed, and remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in accordance with the State of New Jersey Bail Reform Laws.

Breland was additionally charged with possession with intent to distribute drug paraphernalia. He was arrested for a second time in this case on Monday and released on criminal summons pending a future court appearance.

Gloucester Township police have implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat the growing abuse of heroin which leads to reported fatal overdoses.

Anyone who is suffering from addiction or who knows someone who is suffering from addiction is encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051, to get help.

Anyone who has any information about this type of criminal activity or someone suffering as a victim is asked to contact the Gloucester Township Police Department at Police@GTPolice.com, at 856-228-4500, or on the GTPD Anonymous Crime Tip Line at 856-842-5560.

To send an anonymous tip via text message to Gloucester Township police, text the keyword TIP GLOTWPPD and your tip message to 888777. You may also click here to leave an anonymous tip: https://local.nixle.com/tip/alert/5170177. To make a report online, visit https://gtpolice.com/online-reporting/.