Barnegat Police Honored For Handling Shooting, Drug Bust

BARNEGAT, NJ — Five members of the Barnegat Police Department Crime Reduction Unit were honored for the actions they took investigating a shooting in town that lead to arrests and seizure of narcotics and money.

Committeeman Joe Marte typically names one officer of the month at Barnegat Committee meetings, but at the July meeting he honored Detectives Simko, Martinez, Carlo, Russionello and Sgt. Nowak for their actions in June.

Following a shooting, an investigation by the officers lead to two arrests, two vehicles seized and seizure of $80,000 of narcotics and money, Marte said.

On the day of the incident, "within two hours and with their effort, arrest warrants were entered into the system, the suspect's car was impounded," Marte said.

The suspect was arrested the next day, Marte said. A search warrant on the suspect's residence turned up more than 800 bags of heroin and money, Marte said.

"The Crime Reduction Unit members continue to lead the agency with their proactive work and deterrence of crimes within Barnegat Township," Marte said.

Note: An earlier version of this article said that Committeeman William Farmer honored the officers. It was, in fact, Committeeman Joe Marte. Patch regrets this error.