Heroin, Cocaine Seized, 3 Charged As Brick Crackdown Continues

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township police made three more arrests Thursday as they continue to crack down on crime issues in the township.

The three men — two from Brick and one from Holmdel — were arrested on charges of drug distribution and possession in two separate incidents Thursday by the Selective Enforcement Team and the Drug Enforcement Unit, Brick Sgt. Jim Kelly said.

Jamie Crippen, 26, of Belinda Court; Leo Foley, 37, of Holmdel, and Michael Lobue, 39, of Brick, all are being held at the Ocean County Jail awaiting detention hearings.

Crippen was arrested Thursday morning on an outstanding warrant after leaving his home in the Evergreen Woods Condominium Complex, Kelly said. Crippen had been under surveillance in an investigation; after his arrest, a search warrant was executed at his home that turned up cocaine, marijuana, a digital scale and packaging materials. More than $1,000 was seized as being suspected proceeds from distributing a controlled dangerous substance, Kelly said. Patrolman Robert Koch assisted in Crippen's arrest.

Crippen has been charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, and possession of paraphernalia, Kelly said.

That evening, just before 11 p.m., Patrolman Keven Docherty saw a dark-colored Chevy Impala that he learned was unregistered. Patrolman Joseph Riccio assisted as Docherty pulled the car over and investigated. With the assistance of K-9 Officer Keith Prendeville and his partner Max, they found about 380 bags of heroin, among other contraband in the car.

Foley, who was driving, has been charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of paraphernalia, along with motor vehicle summonses for the motor vehicle violations.

Lobue has been charged with second-degree possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of a prescription legend drug, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, Kelly said.

The arrests are just the most recent that followed a pair of mid-October shootings in the area near Briar Mills and Brick Memorial High School. Nineteen people were arrested in the three days that followed the shooting near Brick Memorial.

• Read more: More Arrests In Brick: 4 Nabbed On Drug Charges, Shoplifting
• 19 Arrests As Brick Police Crack Down After Shootings

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Brick Patch on Facebook.