Cop Charged After Teen Brings Unsecured Gun To Manahawkin Park: OCPO

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Beach Haven police sergeant left his handgun unsecured, leaving it accessible to a minor and leading to last week's incident where a minor brought a loaded gun to a Stafford Township park, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said Thursday.

Andrew Wahlberg, 50, of the Manahawkin section of Stafford, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child after the May 18 incident, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Stafford Township Chief of Police Thomas Dellane announced.

Last week, a 15-year-old boy brought both a loaded gun and a folding knife to Ocean Acres Park, Billhimer and Dellane said. Read More: Teen Brought Loaded Gun, Knife To Stafford Family Park: Police

On May 18, the day of the incident, Wahlberg left a Beretta 9mm handgun unsecured and accessible, officials said. The 15-year-old brought that gun to the park, officials said.

Wahlberg was served the charge against him on a summons, pending a first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court, Billhimer and Dellane said.

The 15-year-old was previously charged with second and fourth degree unlawful possession of a weapon and lodged in the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center, Stafford police said.

Billhimer and Dellane acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit as well as the Stafford Township Police Department for their collective assistance in connection with this investigation.