4 Face Drug Charges After Chase In Brick Condo Complex

BRICK, NJ — Four people were arrested recently following an investigation into drug distribution in Brick, authorities said.

Thomas Plummer, 45, of Philadelphia; Tyler Bartholomew, 28, Kylie Rhoades, 28, and Ashley Smith, 25, all from Brick, all were arrested June 23, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

The arrests happened as authorities served a search warrant at a home on Cindy Court in the Evergreen Woods condominium complex. Plummer, who was the target of the investigation, was standing outside with Smith and Bartholomew when police arrived, Kelly said.

Plummer took off and was chased down and arrested a short distance away, Kelly said. As he was running detectives saw him throw away several items that were later recovered and identified as vials of crack cocaine and heroin, he said.

Bartholemew and Smith, meanwhile, went into the condo and locked the door; Kelly said police forced their way into the home and found the two and Rhoades in a bedroom.

A search of the home turned up drug paraphernalia, heroin and crack, and more crack and heroin were recovered outside the house where Plummer was arrested, Kelly said.

All four were charged with two counts of possession of controlled dangerous substances and possession of paraphernalia, and Plummer was charged with obstructing the administration of justice, resisting arrest, and two counts of intent to distribute crack and heroin, Kelly said. Bartholomew and Smith were also charged with obstruction, he said.

Plummer, Rhoades and Bartholomew taken to the Ocean County Jail, while Smith was released on a summons, Kelly said.