Long Beach Township Man Charged After Driving Into Police Parking Lot: Officials

LONG BEACH TWP., NJ — A Long Beach Township man was charged June 18 after police said he drove into an entrance marked for emergency vehicles only and then entered the Long Beach Township Police Department patrol vehicle parking lot.

According to the Long Beach Township Police Department, officers saw the vehicle enter the restricted access area and approached the driver to determine whether he needed help. Police said the investigation that followed led to the arrest of James Leonetti, 56, of Long Beach Township, on a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Police reported that officers then executed a court-authorized search warrant on Leonetti’s vehicle with assistance from the Long Beach Township Detective Bureau. According to the department, that search resulted in additional charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Leonetti was processed and released pending a future court date, according to police.

In a statement included in the department’s release, police said the agency “remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community through continued proactive enforcement efforts.”

The release also stated, “We commend the professional actions of Patrolman Brachelli, Patrolman Burkhard, K-9 Zero, Patrolman Bazerque, Officer O’Cone, Detective Sergeant Fiorentino, and Detective Delpriora for their efforts that led to this apprehension.”