TOMS RIVER, NJ – Law enforcement officials have announced the arrest of Quamel Benton, 35, from Farmingdale, following a spate of criminal activities across Lakewood and Toms River on March 21 and into the early hours of March 22. Benton faces multiple charges, including Attempted Kidnapping, Luring, and Endangering the Welfare of a Child, among others.
The initial incident was reported on March 21 around 7:30 p.m. in Lakewood, where Benton allegedly tried to kidnap a teenage girl. The girl managed to escape, and Benton fled the scene. This was followed by another incident around 9:00 p.m. in Toms River, where Benton is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a Target parking lot before leading police on a high-speed chase which was eventually called off for safety reasons.
Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department responded to the area of Forest Park Circle for a report of an attempted kidnapping. Responding Officers learned that a male suspect driving a smaller model white SUV had attempted to pull a teenage girl into his vehicle. The victim broke away from the suspect and ran back to her residence; the suspect then fled the area in his vehicle. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department resulted in law enforcement obtaining a description of the suspect and the vehicle he was operating.
The arrest came after Toms River Police were alerted to another attempted vehicle entry by Benton in the early hours of March 22. Following a car and foot chase, Benton was apprehended after crashing his vehicle. A collaborative investigation confirmed Benton’s involvement in the reported incidents, leading to his arrest and additional charges from an earlier aggravated assault in Willingboro, Burlington County.
At approximately 9:00 p.m., Toms River Police Officers responded to the Target parking lot on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, for a report that a female had been sexually assaulted. Responding Officers learned that a male suspect had approached a female victim and inappropriately grabbed her.
The suspect then fled the parking lot. Toms River Police Officers were able to identify and follow the suspect fleeing from the Target parking lot, and a vehicle pursuit ensued. The suspect, traveling at a high rate of speed, entered the Garden State Parkway northbound – driving erratically. As such, Toms River Police Officers terminated the pursuit.
The Officers were, however, able to obtain the vehicle’s registration number. They then learned that the individual believed to be operating the vehicle, Quamel Benton, was a person of interest in connection with an aggravated assault that occurred earlier on March 21, 2024, in Willingboro Township, Burlington County. Through continuing investigation, law enforcement was able to confirm that the description of the suspect in both the Lakewood and Toms River incidents matched that of Benton.
Later that night, at approximately 12:40 a.m., Toms River Township Police were notified that a male suspect was attempting to enter a vehicle occupied by a female. Toms River Township Police Officers responded to the scene, which resulted in the Officers positively identifying Benton as the suspect trying to enter the vehicle. Benton attempted to flee the area; a motor vehicle pursuit ensued, which ultimately resulted in Benton losing control of his vehicle and crashing into a utility pole in the area of Route 70 and Whitesville Road. A foot pursuit ensued, and Benton was apprehended and taken into custody.
Benton is currently detained at the Burlington County Jail, awaiting a detention hearing.