Manahawkin Man Sexually Assaulted Teen At Jersey Shore: Police

BRIGANTINE, NJ — A 55-year-old Manahawkin man is charged with sexual assault and child endangerment after he was found in a car with a teenage boy behind the Brigantine Observation Tower, police said.

Police were conducting a property check of the tower on June 10 at about 4 a.m. when they noticed "suspicious activity" in the parked car and investigated, discovering Thomas G. Aljian, Jr. and the teenage boy, Brigantine police said.

The teen fled on foot and was chased by police before being apprehended by the sea wall, police said. He would not provide a correct name or age, but police later determined at the station that he was under 16. An affidavit of probable cause obtained by the Press of Atlantic City said the boy is 15.

Aljian was identified as the registered owner of the car and sent on his way, police said.

The teen was identified at the station and an investigation was immediately launched, according to police.

Police returned to the spot of the car and found evidence that sexual acts had been performed just prior to officers arriving. A used condom was discovered, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

The Press reported that two had met on the dating app Grindr, where the boy claimed to be 19.

A warrant was issued for Aljian's arrest, charging him with second degree sexual assault of a person who is at least 13 years old but less than 16 years old and third degree endangering the welfare of a child.

Aljian turned himself in on June 13, police said. Breaking AC reported that he was released from the Atlantic County Justice Facility on Wednesday.