MAYS LANDING, N.J. — A Vineland man was sentenced Tuesday to seven years in state prison after pleading guilty in two separate Atlantic County cases involving gunfire in Atlantic City and a police pursuit in Hammonton.
Daniel Becerra, 34, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Donna Taylor to an aggregate seven-year prison term with 3½ years of parole ineligibility, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.
Becerra previously pleaded guilty to second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and second-degree eluding in a motor vehicle.
The weapons case stemmed from an early-morning incident in Atlantic City on Sept. 14, 2025.
Atlantic City police were dispatched at approximately 4:06 a.m. to the area of 2406 Island Ave. after a ShotSpotter alert indicated gunfire.
Officers found seven spent 9mm shell casings, one live 9mm round and what appeared to be blood, prosecutors said.
Police also encountered a man identified by prosecutors only by the initials S.R. who appeared to have blood on his face, hand and lower body.
S.R. told investigators that a group of people had approached him and that a verbal confrontation escalated into a physical fight.
Surveillance video showed S.R. fighting with two people on Turnpike Avenue shortly before 4 a.m., according to prosecutors.
Several minutes later, prosecutors said, surveillance video captured Becerra leaving El Charro restaurant with two other men and speaking with S.R.
The group eventually began walking toward Island Avenue, where Becerra's vehicle was parked.
S.R. then encountered the same people involved in the earlier altercation.
At approximately 4:06 a.m., surveillance video showed Becerra approaching one of the men, prosecutors said.
As that man moved away and another person raised his hands, Becerra raised an arm and two flashes consistent with gunfire could be seen coming from the area of his hand, according to prosecutors.
The other man ran toward Florida and Fairmount avenues as bystanders ducked.
Prosecutors said Becerra then raised his hand toward the sky and five additional muzzle flashes were visible.
People in the area could be seen scattering and ducking as the shots were fired.
Investigators said the time and location shown on the surveillance video were consistent with two ShotSpotter notifications. Shell casings were also recovered in the area where Becerra was seen firing.
The Atlantic City Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit investigated that case.
Separate Hammonton Police Encounter
Becerra's eluding conviction resulted from a separate incident months earlier.
On Feb. 23, 2025, Hammonton police attempted to stop a black Toyota Highlander, according to prosecutors.
Becerra, who was driving, refused to stop after officers activated their emergency lights and siren, authorities said.
Prosecutors said the female owner of the Highlander was riding as a passenger and repeatedly told Becerra to stop.
She later told police that Becerra said he had outstanding warrants and wasn't going to pull over.
Authorities said Becerra told the woman to get out of the vehicle and give police a fake name.
After she exited, Becerra continued driving and eventually went through a red light at U.S. Route 30 and Seagrove Avenue, prompting officers to terminate the pursuit, according to prosecutors.
About an hour later, authorities were notified that a vehicle had crashed into the backyard of a residence.
Police found the Highlander, but Becerra had fled and could not immediately be located, prosecutors said.
The passenger was taken to the Hammonton Police Department, where authorities said she identified Becerra as the driver.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Gangs, Guns and Narcotics Unit prosecuted both cases.
