MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP – On Wednesday, October 21, 2020, at approximately 1:40 PM, officers from the Manchester Township Police Department responded to the Surf and Stream Campground on County Route 571, for the report of a black male threatening people with a handgun. The caller reported that the suspect was observed assaulting a female inside a sports utility vehicle, before exiting and threatening multiple individuals who were attempting to come to her aid. Prior to police arrival, the suspect fled the scene.
A subsequent investigation conducted by members of the department’s Investigations Bureau and Narcotics Enforcement Team, led by Detective Adam Emmons, identified 31-year-old, Rameek Peace, as the possible suspect. Subsequent investigative efforts resulted in sufficient information to substantiate criminal charges against Peace for his involvement in the campground incident. In addition, court-authorized search warrants were granted for Peace’s residence located at 2525 Route 70 in Manchester, as well as a 2020 Chevy Malibu rental vehicle, which Peace had been observed operating numerous times.
On Friday, October 30, 2020, members of the department’s Investigations Bureau executed the search warrants on Peace’s residence and vehicle. While doing so, Peace was apprehended while driving the Chevy Malibu and arrested without incident. Located and subsequently seized from the vehicle was a silver and black, 40-caliber, Springfield XD handgun that was loaded with hollow point bullets. Also located inside the vehicle were 1000 wax folds of heroin with an approximate street value of $5,000.00, $2,020.00 in cash, and additional ammunition. The handgun found in Peace’s vehicle matched the description provided by multiple victims and witnesses.
As investigators entered Peace’s residence, they located two children, a 2-month-old and 2-year-old, who had been left unaccompanied and without any supervision. The children were found in a bed covered in dirty laundry. A subsequent search of the residence revealed a quantity of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The children were ultimately released to their mother, and the Department of Child Protection and Permanency was notified.
As result of the investigation, Peace was charged with Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Certain Persons Not to Have Weapons, Terroristic Threats, Aggravated Assault, Possession of Heroin, Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Endangering the Welfare of Children, Money Laundering, Possession of Hollow Point Bullets, Possession of a Large Capacity Magazine, Possession of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Assisting in the investigation were members of the Manchester Township Police Department’s K-9 Unit and Patrol Bureau, as well as members of the Lakewood Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Residents are reminded that drug tips can be reported to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” link.