Lacey Man Sought In Baseball Bat Attack On Man, Police Chief Says

LACEY, NJ -- A Forked River man is being sought on assault charges after he allegedly beat another Forked River man with a baseball bat Sunday evening near the Barnegat Branch Rail Trail, Lacey Police Chief David L. Paprota said Monday.

Theodore Riker, 55, of Parker Street in the Forked River section, is wanted on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and terroristic threats in the incident, Paprota said. Bail on the arrest warrant has been set at $75,000 by Judge Damian G. Murray, he said.

Riker is accused of hitting a 50-year-old Forked River man several times with a wooden bat to the legs, back and head, Paprota said. Police were called to the Barnegat Branch Rail Trail in an area just south of the Wawa on Route 9 at Taylor Lane, shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday, to assist the injured man, he said.

The victim was alert and identified Riker as the man who assaulted him, Paprota said. The victim was then taken to Community Medical Center, Toms River, for treatment by the Lacey Township First Aid Squad, the chief said.

Anyone with information on Riker's whereabouts can contact Lacey Township Police at 609-693-6636.