Medford Man Facing Numerous Charges After Striking Ocean County Sheriff's Officer On Quad In Lacey Woods: Cops

The multi-agency task force charged with patrolling the Pinelands this summer arrested five men last weekend after they were found trespassing in the area of Lacey Materials on West Lacey Road, Police Chief Michael DiBella said.

Lacey police officers Lieutenant Paul Sullivan, Jr., and Detective Michael Eden were coordinating an off-road Woods Enforcement Detail on Aug. 13, when they found a man operating a quad on a private road leading to the Tuckerton Railroad bed, the chief said.

While task force members issued a summons, an older model, dark green Jeep Cherokee occupied by several men approached the officers.

The Jeep drove around the first set of task force officers and then stopped when they realized their way was blocked due to the enforcement action. Officers approached the Jeep and identified themselves as police officers.

"The driver abruptly put the Jeep in reverse and backed up at a high rate of speed ultimately striking an Ocean County Sheriff's Officer operating a quad," the chief said.

The Jeep's driver fled into the open area of Lacey Materials. Task force members later located the jeep about a quarter mile away. They located the men, including the driver and arrested them all.

The driver, Benjamin Sabo, 23, of Pinecrest Drive was charged with eluding, obstructing the administration of law and trespassing. His bail was set at $50,000 cash. He was also charged with reckless driving, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident, failure to report a motor vehicle accident and driving with an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in default of bail.

Also charged was Karl Werosta, 18, Atsion Road in Medford, Nicholas Glaesman, 19, Pequot Trail, Medford, and Maxwell Burt, 24,of East Lake Boulevard, Medford. All were charged with trespassing and released.

The fifth individual was identified as a 17-year-old juvenile male from Medford. He was charged on a juvenile complaint with trespassing, then released to the custody of a family member. The sheriff’s officer who was struck was not seriously injured, the chief said.

The Jeep was impounded. Additional charges are pending, DiBella said.

The detail's purpose is to deter illegal activity and enforce violations, including off-road vehicle and trespass violations, DUI, underage consumption of alcohol, illegal drug use, and criminal mischief. The details began in April 2016 and have continued throughout the summer.

The detail officers are assigned to patrol in marked police units, consisting of ATVs, Sport Utility Patrol Vehicles, and Humvees. The present detail consisted of officers from the Lacey Township Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and the New Jersey State Police.