Brick Man Arrested in Toms River With AK-47, Police Say

Written by Daniel Nee

A Brick man is facing weapons charges after Toms River police found two guns, including an AK-47 assault rifle, in his van during a traffic stop on Sunday.

Toms River police spotted Mark Austin, 22, driving south on Fischer Boulevard around 11:30 p.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting that Austin would be traveling in a white Ford van with weapons inside, Capt. Steven R. Henry said.

The caller, according to Henry, also told police that Austin had made threats to a third party and was trying to locate that person.

Officers Graham Borg, Vincent Pedalino and Victor Tamaro stopped Austin in the area of Windsor Avenue, Henry said, but Austin tried to run as he was being ordered out of the van.

The officers found Austin in a lagoon near Beachview Drive and arrested him without further incident, Henry said.

Inside the van, the officers found the loaded AK-47, as well as a shotgun, said Henry. 

Following an investigation by Detective John Turner, Austin was arrested on charges of obstructing justice by fleeing a motor vehicle stop, possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a large-capacity magazine.

Austin was lodged in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail. His photo was not available Monday.