Manahawkin Man Charged With Illegally Selling Firearms, Fencing Stolen Property

Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Stafford Township police have charged a Manahawkin man with illegally selling firearms and fencing stolen property, a spokesman for the Prosecutor‘s Office said.

Dennis Ayala, 56, Mermaid Avenue, was arrested during the early morning hours of July 22 after authorities stopped his Ford Expedition in the Ocean Acres section of Stafford Township, Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Al Della Fave said.

Ayala was charged with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession/sale of a firearm, and pawnbroker selling firearms. Ocean County Superior Court Judge Patricia Roe set Ayala‘s bail at $150,000, with no ten percent.

The arrest was the culmination of a seven-month multiple agency investigation into the illegal sale of firearm and illegal fencing of stolen property from the Shore Discount Bedding/Shore Gold and Pawn at 440 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin, which Ayala owns, Della Fave said.

Detectives executed search warrants on the Expedition, Ayala’s Mermaid Avenue residence, and Shore Discount Furniture & Bedding/Shore Gold & Pawn at 440 East Bay Avenue in Manahawkin. They seized quantities of anabolic steroids, three handguns - specifically a stolen .38 caliber revolver, two semi-automatic 9mm handguns, assorted handgun ammunition and $5,000 in suspected illegal proceeds, Della Fave said.

They also seized the Ford Expedition, pending forfeiture actions, he said.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests and charges are expected. The lead investigator is Stafford Township Detective Stephen Fessler. Anyone with information concerning illegal activities at Shore Discount Furniture and Bedding/Shore Gold and Pawn are asked to call Det. Fessler at 609-597-1189 Ext. 8447.

Photo credit: Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.