GTPD Recover Loaded Gun and Drug Paraphernalia during Prostitution Investigation
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Date: Sunday, November 15th 2020
Incident Location: Howard Johnson Inn - 832 N. Black Horse Pike Gloucester Township
On November 15, 2020 at approximately 11:00 PM, the Gloucester Township Police Department was conducting pro-active police operations in the area of the Howard Johnson Inn at 832 N. Black Horse Pike. During the investigation, officers became aware of a female soliciting herself for prostitution at the hotel.
A motor vehicle stop was conducted occupied by the female soliciting along with a male and two additional females. The male, later identified as Nikolaus Breland from Camden, was arrested for Possession of CDS and Promoting Prostitution. A female occupant of the vehicle, Barbara Cantz of Woodbury, was arrested for Promoting Prostitution. Breland and Cantz were released on criminal summonses pending a future court appearances. The two additional women were released without charges. The women were offered services by the Gloucester Township Police Department and their licensed clinical social worker. The vehicle operated by Breland was impounded pending further investigation and a search warrant application.
On November 20, 2020, officers executed a search warrant on the vehicle, and recovered a loaded 9mm Taurus semiautomatic handgun, electronic equipment, and a large amount of drug paraphernalia. An additional female, Janele Velas of Hellertown, PA, was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon and Possession of a high capacity pistol magazine. Breland was additionally charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia. Velas was arrested on 11/23/2020, processed, and remanded to the Camden County Correctional Facility in accordance with the State of New Jersey Bail Reform Laws. Breland was arrested on 11/23/2020 and released on criminal summons pending a future court appearance.
Arrest #1: Nikolaus Breland (age 30), 1600 block of Alabama Rd in Camden City, NJ. Charges: Promoting Prostitution (3rd Degree) and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Drug Paraphernalia (4th Degree)
Arrest #2: Barbara Cantz (age 26), 100 block of Carpenter Street in Woodbury, NJ. Charges: Promoting Prostitution (3rd Degree)
Arrest #3: Janele Velas (age 29), 100 block W. Saucon St, Hellertown, PA. Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Handgun (2nd Degree) and Possession of a High Capacity Magazine (4th Degree)
The Gloucester Township Police Department has implemented a number of initiatives and programs to combat the growing abuse of heroin which leads to reported fatal overdoses. If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, you are encouraged to call the Gloucester Township SAVE Advocate at 856-302-7051, to get help.
If anyone has any additional information in reference to this type of criminal activity or someone suffering as a victim, please contact the Gloucester Township Police Department ([email protected]) at 856-228-4500, 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 please visit https://gtpolice.com/online-reporting/
Investigating Detectives/Officers: Sgt. F. Pace #165, Det. M. Leach #161, Ptl. M. Gray #257
Address/Location
Gloucester Township Police Department
1261 Chews Landing Rd
Gloucester Township, NJ 08021
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 856-228-4500