Union Beach Police Chase Puts Hazlet School On Lockdown

UNION BEACH, NJ — Two men being chased by Union Beach police led to a canine search in the area and even resulted in Hazlet Middle School being put on lockdown Tuesday. The men ran from a Union Beach police detective and one of them was found to have heroin and crack cocaine on him, police said.

According to Union Beach police, the incident started at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, when Detective Joseph Friscia stopped a car for several motor vehicle violations in the parking lot of Union Ave Auto Sales. As the car came to a stop, its driver and passenger suddenly jumped out and fled on foot.

The driver ran towards Union Ave., and the passenger ran across the highway behind Union Auto Body. Det. Friscia chased one of the men on foot and apprehended him in the auto body parking lot. Hazlet Middle School on Union Avenue was placed into "shelter in place" mode due to the nearby police pursuit.

Police used canines to search for the other man, but could not find him. He was later arrested Tuesday evening at a home in Union Beach.

The arrested subjects were charged with the following:

(Driver) - Chad Zimmer, 44, of Brick: Hindering apprehension, resisting arrest, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful taking of means of conveyance. He was also found to have several warrants. He was taken to the Monmouth County jail.

(Passenger) - Demond Hill, 31 of Cliffwood: possession of CDS (heroin), possession of CDS (crack/cocaine), two counts of Possession of CDS with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500' of a park, 2 counts of possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000' of school property, hindering apprehension, resisting arrest, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also taken to the Monmouth County jail.

Photo of Hazlet middle school on Union Avenue via Google Earth