Bayville Man Arrested After Incident At Spirits Unlimited In Berkeley Plaza

by Patricia A. Miller

A Bayville man is facing weapons charges after an altercation at the Spirits Unlimited store in Berkeley Plaza recently, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Patrolmen Jon Sperber and Al Foca responded to the store at 4 p.m. on Jan. 11 on a report of an armed male who had just shoplifted, the chief said.

There they found Albert Blair, 45, in possession of a knife. Blair also yelled at the officers that he had a gun, DiMichele said.

"After repeated orders to drop the weapons, Blair let go of the knife, at which time he began to fight with the officers," the chief said.

 The officers were able to subdue Blair, handcuff him and arrest him. The gun was later determined to be a simulated revolver, DiMichele said.

Blair was also found to be in possession of a quantity of prescription pills which were not prescribed to him, she said. 

Blair was charged with resisting arrest, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon.  His bail was set at $25,000, with no ten percent option. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, DiMichele said.