On May 15, 2013, the Brick Township Police Department released a sketch of a subject who was wanted for questioning in connection to an Armed Robbery and Stabbing which occurred on May 13, 2013 at approximately 10 pm.  The incident took place at 150 Brick Boulevard, Brick, NJ. The subject should be considered armed and dangerous.  Please do not approach.  If you see the subject please contact the Brick Township Police at (732) 262-1100, or your local Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding the armed robbery is asked to contact Det. Robert Shepherd at (732) 262-1112 or Det. Thomas Cooney at (732) 262-4708.

TOMS RIVER–On Wednesday, another one of Toms River’s many vacant homes, damaged by Hurricane Sandy, went up in flames.  This time, it was a two story Snug Harbor lagoon structure at 1846 Ensign Court.  A second home, also vacant since damaged by Sandy next door suffered damage.

Toms River Police Officer Steve Bucci was the first on scene and reported flames coming from the second floor.

Silverton, Pleasant Plains, East Dover and Fire Companies 1&2 responded to put out the blaze.At 830 am on Wednesday police a 911 call from a neighbor that a home at 1846 ensign court was on fire.  The two story home on a lagoon in the snug Harbor section of the Township has been vacant since Sandy.  Officer Steve Bucci arrived and found flames coming from the 2-story  vacant sandy damaged home.  Another vacant sandy damaged home  next door at 1836 also received some damage from the fire.  Toms River Fire Companies 1&2, Silverton, Pleasant Plains and East Dover Fire companies all responded and extinguished the fire.

Silverton, Pleasant Plains and Toms River 1&2 and East Dover responded and quickly extinguished the fire.  Toms River Fire inspector John Novak determined the residence to be uninhabitable and the family arranged to stay with other family members nearby

At 10 a.m. Monday police and fire responded to Manhattan Bagel reference an oven fire.  Toms River Fire Company 1& 2 and Island Heights Fire companies  responded and extinguished the fire that was limited to the oven.

The victim’s dog was located in the house by members of the fire department and treated at the scene but unfortunately did not survive the fire and was turned over to Toms River Animal control.

Investigating are Detective James Magovern and Officer Chris Kowalczyk.

Photo courtesy of the Lakewood Scoop.

TOMS RIVER–Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato today announced the sentencing of Jaime Gonzalez, 43, of Lakewood for the 2009 shooting of Lakewood Police Officers. The Honorable Francis R. Hodgson, Jr., J.S.C. sentenced Gonzalez to 45 years, with no chance of parole until 29 ½ years of his sentence is served. The case investigated by the Lakewood Police Department, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Federal Department of ATF was prosecuted by Ocean County Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel A. Paulhus. “Today’s sentencing rids society of a truly callous individual. Who in his actions, showed no regard for the lives of the Lakewood Offices,” said Prosecutor Coronato. “I commend these dedicated officers for their heroic response under fire and their selfless service to the citizens of Ocean County”

The case dates back to September 24, 2009, when shortly after 2:00 a.m., the Lakewood Police Department Entry Team executed a court-authorized no-knock search warrant of defendant Jaime Gonzalez’s residence at 1154 Mackenzie Court, Lakewood, New Jersey.

The search warrant was obtained because Gonzalez was the subject of an investigation involving his sale of illegal controlled dangerous substances. The entry team consisted of Lakewood Township Police Officers: Leroy Marshall, Leonard Nieves, Sr., John Wilson, Robert Lopez, Jason Diffoot, Sergeant Louis Sasso, Sergeant Glenn Clayton, Robert Desimone, Eric Mench, Leonard Nieves, Jr., and Lieutenant Greg Myer. When Gonzalez heard the sound of the entry team’s battering ram, he pulled a stolen five-shot 357 caliber revolver from his waistband, opened fire, and emptied it in the direction of the officers.

In response, members of the team fired back. A firefight between Gonzalez and the police ensued, during which time officers were yelling, “Police, police, stop shooting, put down the gun.” When the shooting ended Gonzalez was taken into custody, but his actions resulted in Lieutenant Myer suffering a bullet wound to his foot, Sergeant Sasso being struck by a bullet in his upper chest, which was fortunately stopped his bullet proof vest, and a not so fortunate Officer Wilson suffering a bullet wound to the head resulting in permanent loss of vision in his left eye.

On February 15, 2013, an Ocean County Jury found Gonzalez guilty of the following: Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Leroy Marshall; Attempted Murder of Leonard Nieves, Sr.; Attempted Murder of John Wilson; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to John Wilson; Attempted Murder of Robert Lopez; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Robert Lopez; Attempted Murder of Jason Diffoot; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Jason Diffoot; Attempted Murder of Louis Sasso; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to Louis Sasso; Aggravated Assault by Causing Bodily Injury to Glenn Clayton; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Robert DeSimone; Attempted Murder of Erick Menck; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Erick Menck; Aggravated Assault by Attempting to Cause Bodily Injury to Greg Myer; Aggravated Assault by Pointing a Firearm at John Wilson, Robert Lopez, Louis Sasso, Glenn Clayton and Greg Myer; Fortifying 1154 Mackenzie Court for the Purpose of Illegal Drug Activity; Possessing a Firearm While Engaged in Certain Drug Activity; Possession of a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose; Receiving Stolen Property; Possession of 5 Ounces or More of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute; Possession of Cocaine; Possession of 3-4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine; Possession of Alprazolam; Possession of 50 Grams or More of Marijuana; Possession With Intent to Distribute 1 Ounce or More, But Less Than 5 Pounds of Marijuana; and Possession of a Prohibited Weapon.

As a result of the head trauma, the employee was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center. The injured employee is a 58 year old male from Hamilton New Jersey. Investigator Brian Crain of O.S.H.A. responded and is investigating the incident.

RECOGNIZING THE RED CROSS

Date: 4/1/13

Jackson–Just before 5 am Thursday, firefighters from Jackson Volunteer Fire Company #1 (Station 55) and Whitesville Volunteer Fire Company (sStation 57) were dispatched to Emory Court, here,  for a reported structure fire.

Upon signing on the radio Chief Mike Waters was advised that the fire was confirmed and he struck the second alarm while en route to the fire, bringing the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company (station 56), Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company (station 54) and Southard Fire Company of Howell to the scene.

The first arriving officer on scene was Whitesville’s Safety Officer, Dan Bradley who assumed initial command and reported that he had a fire through the roof of a two story single family dwelling.

Neighbors reported to arriving firefighters that the home was vacant. This was confirmed by a posting stating that the home was in foreclosure. Because of a lack of life safety risks Chief Waters now in command decided to fight the fire defensively by going into aerial operations with the first two ladder trucks on scene.

The fire was placed under control in about 35 minute from the time of their arrival. There were no injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshall’s Office, the Jackson Police Department and Fire District #3 Bureau of Fire Prevention.

Also assisting at the scene were EMTs from Quality Medical and Jackson Police Officers.

Lakewood Fire Department, Pleasant Plains Fire Company of Toms River and Freehold Independent Fire Company provided coverage to the town while resources were committed on scene. Lakewood’s firefighters put out a small brush fire that started while units were still on scene with the assistance of the NJ Forest Fire Service.