Atlantic City, NJ, Police Use License Plate Readers To Make Arrests

The Atlantic City, New Jersey Police Department has effectively used license plate readers, which has led to the arrests of two people and the recovery of narcotics.

This is How The Arrests & Drug Recovery Began

On May 18, 2025 at 7:45 PM, Officer John Bell responded to an alert from one of the department's automated license plate readers indicating the registered owner of a vehicle had active warrants for his arrest. Officer Bell located the vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop, said the Atlantic City Police Department.

Owner of The Car

Clarence Shambry, the registered owner of the car was arrested because of outstanding warrants. He was passenger and not the driver of the car.

The driver, Shanera Phillips, was also arrested because she had an outstanding warrant.

Atlantic City Police Found the Following

During a search of the car, the Atlantic City Police Department found:

• More than 201 grams of cocaine.
• 289 grams of marijuana.
• More than 161 grams of MDMA.
• More than 14 grams of unpackaged heroin.
• 9 grams of Tramadol.
• Paraphernalia used in the possession and distribution of narcotics.
• A wooden baseball bat that was covered with barbed wire.

ARRESTED:

Clarence Shambry, 44 years old, from Vineland, New Jersey.

CHARGES:

Maintaining a CDS production facility.

possession of CDS with intent to distribute (four counts).

possession of CDS (five counts).

conspiracy.

unlawful possession of a weapon, certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of CDS paraphernalia, and money laundering.

ARRESTED:

Shanera Phillips, 30 years old, from Vineland, New Jersey.

CHARGES:

• Maintaining a CDS production facility.
• possession of CDS with intent to distribute (four counts).
• possession of CDS (five counts).
• conspiracy.
• unlawful possession of a weapon.
• possession of CDS paraphernalia.
• money laundering.

Shambry and Phillips Are both presently being housed at the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

SOURCE: Atlantic City Police Department.