6 Brick Residents Charged In Street Crimes Unit Arrests

BRICK, NJ — Six Brick Township residents are facing drug charges after arrests that resulted from surveillance by the police department's Street Crimes Unit, Brick police said Thursday.

The arrests were part of ongoing efforts by the Brick Township Police Department to discourage drug dealing and other "quality of life" crimes in the township.

On Aug. 3, Kristina L. Wilson, 36, and Michael C. Malinowski, 41, were arrested following a motor vehicle stop that started with surveillance at the Wawa at 595 Brick Blvd., Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said.

Street Crimes Unit detectives saw a suspicious vehicle and pulled it over with the assistance of patrol officers after seeing several motor vehicle violations, Finelli said. Patrolman Scott Smith and his K-9 partner Echo responded and Echo indicated on the vehicle, leading to a search that turned up an unspecified amount of methamphetamine packaged for resale in multiple plastic bags, she said. Police also found clonazepam pills in the vehicle.

Wilson, the driver, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the intent to distribute (methamphetamine), and possession of paraphernalia. She also was also issued traffic summonses for careless driving, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle, failure to possess valid proof of insurance, illegal safety glass and obstruction of view. Wilson was released on a summons.

Malinowski, Wilson's passenger, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia and possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and taken to the Ocean County Jail.

On Aug. 4, Jacob Kahl, 43, Joseph Cafasso, 51, and Michael Restaino, 63, were arrested in two separate incidents, Finelli said.

Detectives received a tip about possible drug dealing at a home on Hulse Landing Road and were conducting surveillance about 5 p.m. on Aug. 4 when they saw a vehicle pull up to the home in what appeared to be drug activity, Finelli said.

The vehicle was pulled over and Patrolman Raymond LaPoint and his K-9 partner Rebel arrived, and Rebel indicated on the vehicle. Police found and seized an unspecified amount of oxycodone pills, buprenorphine/hydrochloride pills, and a switch blade, Finelli said. Kahl, the driver, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of paraphernalia and possession of prohibited weapons. He also received traffic summonses for careless driving, failure to maintain lane, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle. Kahl was released on a summons, Finelli said.

In the same area on Hulse Landing Drive, police approached a suspicious vehicle. K-9 Rebel again indicated on the vehicle, and a search led to the seizure of Xanax, sulfamethoxazole, hydrochloride, oxycodone, anabolic steroids, and CDS paraphernalia.

Cafasso, the driver, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of a prescription legend drug, and possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and issued a summons for CDS in a motor vehicle. Restaino, his passenger, was charged with possession of CDS, possession of a prescription legend drug, possession of paraphernalia, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and two counts of possession of anabolic steroids, Finelli said.

Cafasso and Restiano were both taken to the Ocean County Jail.

On Aug. 10, Monta Johnson, 43, was arrested following a motor vehicle stop at 550 Route 70. Detectives seized a glass pipe containing crack cocaine, Finelli said. Johnson was charged with possession of CDS and possession of paraphernalia, and issued a summons for careless driving and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. She was taken to the Ocean County Jail, Finelli said.

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