Sewell Man Pleads Guilty After String of Atlantic County Crimes

Mays Landing, N.J. — A South Jersey man has pleaded guilty to five charges stemming from five separate incidents in Atlantic County, including a foot chase that ended on the beach in Atlantic City.

36-year-old Michael Celia of Sewell, Gloucester County, entered his plea Thursday. An agreement calls for an aggregate four-year state prison sentence.

Michael Celia of Sewell, NJ - Photo: Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office / Canva

Crime Timeline

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office detailed the series of events as follows:

• September 27, 2025: Atlantic City police on routine patrol located an unoccupied stolen vehicle. Surveillance footage from the area showed Celia as an occupant of the stolen car. He was located and charged with unlawful taking of a means of conveyance.

• October 15, 2025: Hamilton Township police detained Celia during a shoplifting investigation and found methamphetamine on his person. He was charged with possession of CDS.

• October 27, 2025: Police were called to Bally's parking garage after a vehicle owner returned to find several belongings stolen from his car. Surveillance captured the break-in. Celia was identified and charged with burglary.

• November 1, 2025: Officers responded to Tropicana for a report of a defiant trespasser. When Celia spotted police, he ran, leading officers on a foot chase down the Boardwalk and onto the beach before being apprehended and charged with resisting arrest.

Caesars in Atlantic City NJ - Photo: Chris Coleman

• February 18, 2026: A woman returned to Caesars' parking garage to find her car gone. Surveillance showed a man pulling on multiple door handles before gaining access and driving off in her vehicle. Celia was identified, arrested, and charged with theft of a motor vehicle.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1st.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com