Thanks to a level-headed Atlantic City Police Officer, a story that could have ended tragically did not after a man allegedly ran from a stolen vehicle and yelled for an officer to shoot him.

Atlantic City Police say the scene unfolded around 10:30 Sunday night when an officer spotted a van in the 3300 block of Atlantic Avenue that had been reported stolen from Stafford Township.

A motor vehicle stop was initiated, however, the driver of the van, 44-year-old Michael Bell of Atlantic City, failed to stop. Cops say he lead the officer to the unit north block of Sovereign Avenue where he jumped out of his vehicle and ran. Before running, Bell allegedly put his vehicle in reverse, which struck the marked ACPD patrol car as the officer began to chase Bell.

The ACPD officer confronted Bell as he was trying to jump over a fence; Bell immediately turned away and began to yell for the officer to shoot him while he held his waistband, according to authorities. The officer created some distance and begin to de-escalate the situation. Bell then fled up the stairs of a deck and jumped off and fled. He was later located by additional ACPD officers and arrested.

Bell was found in possession of 10 bags of heroin, as well as having several warrants for his arrest and a suspended driver’s license.

Bell was charged with receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, hindering apprehension, possess of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS paraphernalia, multiple active warrants, and multiple motor vehicle summons. He was remanded to the Atlantic County Justice Facility.

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