Somerset Man In Ski-Mask Among 2 Arrested, Gun Seized In Brick: Police

SOMERSET, NJ — A Somerset man and a juvenile were arrested Wednesday after a resident saw them wearing ski masks while driving and called police, Brick Township police said.

Ectgar Candia-Paz, 18, of Somerset, is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on weapons charges, and the juvenile is being held at the Ocean County Juvenile Detention Center, Brick Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said.

On Sept. 20 at 6:26 p.m., Brick Police got a call from a resident who saw a Black Honda drive past them with the driver and passenger both wearing ski masks.

"Due to the recent spike in burglaries, the resident thought it was suspicious and reported it to police," said Finelli.

Moments after the 6:26 p.m. report, Patrolman Joseph McGrath spotted the car on Mantoloking Road, and he and Patrolmen Ryan Marmer and Charles Wehrlen pulled the car over on Chambers Bridge Road near the ShopRite plaza, Finelli said.

As they approached the car McGrath saw the juvenile passenger reach down toward the floor of the car, Finelli said, and ordered them out of the car, where they were detained while a K-9 search of the car was conducted.

Patrolman Ray Lapoint and his partner, K9 Rebel, responded and Rebel indicated a positive hit on the vehicle, Finelli said, and police then found a handgun and a high-capacity magazine.

Candia-Paz was charged with possession of a defaced weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a high-capacity magazine and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and the juvenile was charged with juvenile delinquency, she said.

"Chief David Forrester would like to thank the residents for their assistance in our efforts to bring to justice the individuals responsible for the car thefts that are occurring statewide," Finelli said. "We ask that residents remain vigilant and assist us by calling the police immediately if they notice anyone or anything suspicious."

— With reporting by Karen Wall, Patch Staff