19 Arrests As Brick Police Crack Down After Shootings

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township police have a message for those who would commit crimes in the township: You won't get away with it.

Authorities arrested 19 people in a three-day span, from Oct. 23 to 26, on drug charges, outstanding arrest warrants and more as Brick Township police cracked down in areas of the township known for criminal activity, police said Monday.

The crackdown was in response to the shootings that left township residents shaken last week. A drive-by shooting on Oct. 19 was followed by the Oct. 22 incident where a bleeding teen ran to Brick Memorial High School for help, prompting lockdowns at Brick Memorial and at Lanes Mill Elementary School, along with a full active shooter response from law enforcement.

The teen victim of Tuesday's shooting was grazed, and three friends walking with him were uninjured. Two teenage boys — a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old — have been charged with four counts of attempted murder in the Oct. 22 shooting.

"Our community was shaken by the senseless acts of violence which occurred last week," Police Chief James Riccio said. "It’s important for our residents to know that we will always do everything we can to keep our community safe and our township peaceful."

In the wake of the shootings, Riccio stepped up patrols and special enforcement, adding officers to the department’s Drug Enforcement Unit and Selective Enforcement Team, Sgt. Jim Kelly said. Brick detectives joined forces with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office to focus on areas known for illegal activity.

The officers from the three agencies "worked together to aggressively target these areas, which included areas which were frequented by the juveniles arrested in connection to last week's shooting incident," Kelly said. The efforts led to the 19 arrests in three days, he said.

Those arrested face charges of possession of controlled dangerous substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances, possession of paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, hindering apprehension, and outstanding warrants, Kelly said.

Among the drugs seized were crack cocaine, heroin, MDMA/Ecstasy and marijuana, he said.

"Chief Riccio would like to personally thank members of the Ocean County Narcotics Strike force and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office," Kelly said.

Officers continue to monitor, patrol and investigate "with the unwavering objective to seek out and arrest those responsible for criminal activity," the department said.

Previous reporting:

• 1 Hurt In Drive-By Shooting In Brick: Police
• Shots Near Brick Memorial High School Prompt Police Response
• Brick's Search Continues For Shooter As Students Return To School
• Brick Shooting: See Mayor Call Suspect 'Scum' After 'Scary Day'
• Drive-By, Shooting Near School Linked, Brick Police Confirm
• 17-Year-Old Charged In Shooting Near Brick Memorial
• 2nd Teen Arrested In Shooting Near Brick Memorial

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