A 20-year-old man driving a stolen car was arrested after he crashed into several stores and set a building on fire.
According to police, at 4:32 am, patrol officers, ambulance personnel, and the Atlantic City Fire Department responded to the 3300 block of Atlantic Avenue for a motor vehicle accident and a building on fire.
First responders arrived to find a pick-up truck that had left the roadway and smashed through the front of several stores and caught on fire. The mix- dwelling had multiple occupied apartments.
The driver, 20-year-old Rowan Arlan, of Somers Point, was removed from the vehicle by a citizen and was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Division, with unknown injuries.
Officers Michael Oldroyd and Fitzroy Simpson arrived and began to evacuate residents from their apartments. The adjoining apartment building was also evacuated as a precaution.
Witnesses reported seeing the vehicle driving at a high rate of speed before leaving the road and crashing. Shortly after 8 am, the vehicle was reported stolen in Pleasantville.
Approximately ten people were safely removed from their apartments and are now being assisted by the American Red Cross.
Police arrested Arlan and charged him with driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, suspended driver, possession of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), and receiving stolen property. Police ultimately released Arlan on a summons with a future court date.
Anyone with information about this accident is urged to contact the Atlantic City Police Department Accident Investigations Section at 609-347-5744 or text anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.
Photo: Atlantic City Fire Department