Gunshot Investigation Ends In Police Chase, Crash In Ocean County

LAKEWOOD, NJ — A Howell Township man is being held after leading police on a chase into Toms River after shots were fired at an apartment complex in Lakewood on Wednesday, police said.

Timothy D. Moore-Jackson, 29, has been charged with eluding, unlawful possession of a handgun, certain persons not to possess a firearm, aggravated assault, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, Lakewood police said.

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Callers reported shots fired about 5 p.m. in the area of the High Point Apartment Complex, at Prospect Street and Massachusetts Avenue, police said.

Toms River police saw the vehicle that was being sought in the shooting as it was leaving the area and tried to pull it over, but the driver took off, with Toms River and Lakewood police in pursuit, police said.

Toms River police saw the shooting, the Toms River PBA 137 said. Toms River officers were conducting narcotics-related surveillance in the area at the time, the PBA said in a Facebook post, and saw the vehicle fleeing and followed it into Toms River.

Toms River K-9 Officer Anthony Carafa began pursuing the vehicle when it came into Toms River, the PBA said.

The chase did not last long, however, because the suspect — identified as Moore-Jackson — crashed into another vehicle, police said.

The driver of the vehicle that was hit was injured and taken to a local hospital for treatment, police said.

Moore-Jackson ran into a nearby wooded area but Carafa's partner, K-9 Ranger, along with members of Toms River's Special Enforcement Team tracked Moore-Jackson and caught him in the area of Chestnut Street and Vine Avenue, police said.

Toms River then turned him over to Lakewood police, the PBA said.

Moore-Jackson is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a detention hearing.

"This incident demonstrates the effectiveness of strong partnerships between law enforcement agencies," Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer said. "The coordinated efforts of every officer and investigator involved led to the quick apprehension of the suspect while helping to protect the public from further harm. I want to thank all of our partner agencies for their efforts throughout this investigation."

In addition to Lakewood and Toms River police, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Vehicular Homicide Unit responded.

Lakewood police said the investigation is continuing. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Lakewood Police Detective James Mahecha at 732-363-0200, ext. 5339.