Catch-and-release cops catch Kiyon again

An Egg Harbor Township man, Kiyon Smalley, 19, found himself behind bars following a series of events involving gunfire from a moving vehicle, an arrest, his release from custody, and a second arrest when he returned to pick up the car that had been impounded after a search revealed a hidden firearm inside.

Authorities responded to a report of shots being fired from a car near Fire and Delilah roads around 12:33 a.m. on Sunday, April 28. The incident led to a high-risk stop and subsequent discoveries that resulted in Smalley’s arrest.

The unfolding of events began with a call reporting shots fired in an unknown direction. Egg Harbor Township Police Department’s Captain Cherie Burgan confirmed that Smalley and a 17-year-old were apprehended after officers received this report.

Upon receiving the alert, Officer Dominic Newman located the suspect’s vehicle and initiated a high-risk stop near Delilah Road and English Creek Avenue.

During the stop, Smalley was identified as the driver, and it was revealed that he had an outstanding traffic warrant. Notably, an empty holster was found on his person at the time of the stop.

Further investigations led to the impoundment of Smalley’s vehicle and the subsequent execution of a search warrant on Tuesday, April 30. Inside the vehicle, authorities discovered a 9mm handgun equipped with a high-capacity magazine and several rounds of ammunition.

This discovery led to additional charges against Smalley and his juvenile companion, including unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes, and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Following his initial release from jail due to the outstanding warrant, Smalley returned to the Egg Harbor Township police headquarters on Wednesday, May 1, to retrieve his impounded vehicle. However, he was promptly re-arrested on the new weapons-related charges.

Currently, Smalley is held at the Atlantic County Justice Facility awaiting a detention hearing.

His juvenile companion, on the other hand, will face charges in juvenile court.

In response to the incident, police expressed gratitude to the individual who reported the gunfire, emphasizing the community’s role in maintaining safety. The department urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity promptly, reaffirming the adage, “If you see something, say something.”

This episode underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to address instances of gun-related incidents and uphold public safety in Egg Harbor Township.