ATLANTIC CITY: On November 2, 2022, an investigation into an attempted burglary at a boardwalk business resulted in the arrest of two men and subsequent charges for multiple unrelated burglaries throughout Atlantic City.

At approximately 1:30 AM, patrol officers responded to a burglar alarm at a business in the 2700 block of the boardwalk. Officers arrived and heard the audible alarm but did not locate anyone on scene. Personnel from the Atlantic City Police Department Surveillance Center retrieved footage of two individuals exiting from the rear of the business location. The two individuals, Jose Antonio Rodriguez and Luis Romero-Velez proceeded eastbound on the boardwalk from that location.

Officer Justice Martin located Rodriguez and Romero-Velez, who also matched the description giving by Surveillance Personnel, on the boardwalk at Michigan Avenue. Rodriguez and Romero-Velez, were in possession of burglary tool and CDS paraphernalia. Both men were taken into custody without incident.

Through various investigative means that includes video surveillance, Detectives of the Atlantic City Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section were able to positively identify Rodriguez and Romero-Velez as the suspects in a multitude of burglaries of businesses throughout Atlantic City. The investigation also identified a third suspect, Johana Mendoza, as a suspect in a rash of burglaries that also occurred at numerous businesses throughout Atlantic City. The burglaries range in date from 2021 and 2022 and include businesses at various casinos and The Walk shopping outlets. Detectives are continuing to investigate several more burglary incidents and additional charges are pending against Rodriguez, Romero-Velez, and Mendoza.

The numerous burglary investigations were a collaborative effort by Detectives Valmir Loga, Fariyd Holmes, Patrick Yarrow, and Malik Tolbert at the direction and supervision of Detective Sergeant Avette Harper.

ARRESTED: Jose Antonio Rodriguez, 32, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Burglary (6 counts), theft (6 counts), criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools.

ARRESTED: Luis Romero-Velez, 41, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Burglary (10 counts), theft (10 counts), criminal trespass, and possession of burglary tools (5 counts).

CHARGED: Johana Mendoza, 28, of Atlantic City.

CHARGES: Burglary, (3 counts), theft (3 Counts), and possession of burglary tools (2 counts).

If you or your business has been the victim of a burglary, please contact the Atlantic City Police Department Criminal Investigations Section at 609-347-5766. Information can also be texted anonymously to tip411 (847411). Begin the text with ACPD.