Berkeley Township Police Assist in South Toms River Drug Arrests

Two South Toms River men are facing a number of drug-related charges after they failed to stop for police, then struck a utility pole.

South Toms River police attempted to pull over a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina at 9:34 a.m. on Dec. 10. The driver did not stop, eluded police, then struck a utility pole on Flint Road, said of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

The driver of the vehicle, Jonathan Lopez, 20, South Toms River, fled on foot. South Toms River police apprehended Lopez, who had a handgun,after a brief pursuit, Sramaty said.

Officers found marijuana inside the Chevy and called the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office's Special Operations Group. They then obtained a search warrant for a home at 96 Belmont Drive in South Toms River and the Chevy Lumina, he said.

Police found approximately 75 grams of cocaine, over fifty grams of marijuana and roughly $1,700 dollars in cash. A .38-caliber handgun along with hollow-point bullets was also seized. Police also seized assorted drug paraphernalia associated with the distribution of CDS, including a digital scale and packaging materials, Sramaty said.

Lopez was charged with eluding police, possession of a handgun without a permit, possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of a firearm during the commission of a controlled dangerous substance offense,possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine over one-half ounce, possession of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, he said.

Superior Court Judge Ronald E. Hoffman set Lopez’s bail at $100,000, with no ten percent option.

Also arrested was Marcus Samuels, 23, 110 Deauville Avenue, South Toms River. He was charged with possession of a handgun without a permit and possession of a handgun for unlawful purposes. His bail was set at $50,000, with no ten percent option, Sramaty said.

Members of the South Toms River Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Sheriffs Department K-9 Unit and the assisted in the investigation, he said.