2 PA Men Charged In 'Targeted' Burglary In Brick: Police

BRICK, NJ — Two Pennsylvania men were arrested Wednesday after Brick Township police responded to what they say was a targeted burglary on 18th Avenue.

Jermaine Mayer Jr., 20, and Marquis Pettise, 20, both of Allentown, PA, have been charged with armed burglary and weapons charges, Sgt. Jim Kelly said Friday. Investigators believe the victim was targeted, he said.

The burglary was reported about 1 p.m. but Kelly said the two suspects had taken off in a black vehicle before police arrived.

Officers found the vehicle at the River Rock Restaurant property and two men who matched the descriptions of the burglars were nearby, but took off running in opposite directions as police approached, Kelly said.

Patrolman Christopher Newlund chased and caught Mayer and arrested him, Kelly said.

Meanwhile, Pettise had gone back to the vehicle to get a handgun he had left inside, Kelly said. Pettise tossed the handgun on the side of the River Rock liquor store and kept running, Kelly said.

Patrolman Matthew Knehr caught up with Pettise and arrested him on the Brielle bridge, Kelly said.

Police found the handgun Pettise tossed, with a high-capacity magazine, Kelly said.

Detectives Michael Bennett and Ryan Talty, who are leading the investigation, filed charges of armed burglary, criminal mischief, possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, possession of a high-capacity magazine, possession of hollow-point ammunition, and obstruction on warrants for both men, Kelly said.

Mayer and Pettise are being held in the Ocean County Jail.

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