WILDWOOD – Members of the Wildwood Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Detective Division, and Uniform Patrol Divisions concluded a joint, two-week investigation Nov. 16 concerning the street level sales of narcotics from the 100 West block of Poplar Avenue, located in the City of Wildwood.
This investigation was initiated due to several neighborhood, concerned-citizen complaints of street level trafficking of narcotics in the immediate vicinity of the residential neighborhood.
During the course of the preliminary narcotics investigation, plain-clothed police officers were assigned to infiltrate the residential neighborhood in order to obtain relevant intelligence information and identify the individuals involved in the illicit sales of narcotics from the surrounding area.
It should be noted that this investigation was a collaborative effort from the community, and several concerned-citizen sources were critical in providing relevant and updated information leading to the arrest of the defendants and the seizure of narcotics, which were ultimately earmarked for those individual(s) addicted to the opiate-based narcotics which are inundating and overwhelming our communities.
As a result of the investigation, six individuals were arrested in connection to the street level sales/distribution scheme. The following individuals were identified and charged with the appropriate criminal offenses concerning the illicit sales of narcotics.
Jose R. Ruiz, 38, currently residing in Millville, N.J. was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute, possession of heroin with the intent to distribute within 1000 of school property and possession of heroin with the intent to distribute within 500′ of school property. Bail was authorized by Judge Dorothy Garrabrant of the Wildwood Municipal Court at $200,000 cash/bond no ten percent all charges. Ruiz was unable to post bail and was incarcerated at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
Michelle A. Douglas, 39, currently residing in Wildwood was charged with possession of heroin and loitering with the intent to obtain narcotics. Douglas was released on criminal summons complaints pending a future court appearance.
Phillip J. Martin, 55, residing in North Wildwood was charged with possession of heroin and loitering with the intent to obtain narcotics. Martin was released on criminal summons complaints with a pending future court appearance.
Robin K. Devine, 43, currently residing in Rio Grande was charged with possession of heroin, possession of a scheduled narcotic, loitering with the intent to obtain narcotics and possession of a narcotics in a motor vehicle. Devine was released on criminal and motor vehicle summons complaints with a pending future court appearance.
Dimitrois L. Angelis, 42, currently residing in Wildwood was charged with conspiracy to possess a controlled dangerous substance and loitering with the intent to obtain narcotics. Bail was authorized by Judge Garrabrant at $20,000 cash/bond no ten percent all charges. Angelis was unable to post bail and was incarcerated at the Cape May County Correctional Center.
Edwin Gonzalez-Ayala, 26, currently residing in Millville, N.J. was charged with hindering apprehension. Gonzalez-Ayala was released on a criminal summons complaint with a pending future court appearance.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
