Manchester police intensify crackdown at deadly Heritage Minerals site as summer nears
MANCHESTER, N.J. — It’s home to the bluest water at the Jersey Shore, but police are warning locals and tourists alike to stay away, or face fines, even imprisonment.
With warm weather returning, Manchester Township police are stepping up enforcement at the Heritage Minerals property—known locally as the ASARCO site or “Crystal Lake”—following years of fatal drownings and off-road crashes at the privately owned former mining quarry.
The 7,000-acre site, located in the Pine Barrens between Routes 37 and 70, draws hundreds of unauthorized visitors annually with its striking aquamarine waters and sandy trails. But officials warn the area’s deceptive beauty masks lethal hazards, including unstable terrain, sudden drop-offs, and deep, cold water that has claimed multiple lives.
“The cost of trespassing could be your life,” said Lt. Chris Cerullo, citing the lake’s history of unpredictable conditions.
Despite prominent “No Trespassing” signs and limited fencing, the property remains accessible from surrounding communities including Toms River, Berkeley, and Lakehurst. Owned by Hovsons, the site includes areas regulated for low-level radioactive material, adding to public safety concerns.
Mining legacy leaves hazardous terrain and toxic remnants
Originally operated by the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO) in the 1970s and later by Heritage Minerals, the site was used to extract titanium, zircon, and radioactive materials. Mining ceased in the early 1980s, but the deep excavations punctured the water table, forming massive artificial lakes.
Unlike natural bodies of water, these man-made pits feature vertical drop-offs exceeding 60 feet, minimal buoyancy, and crumbling shorelines that pose a drowning risk even for experienced swimmers. Authorities say these features are largely responsible for the numerous deaths reported over the years.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission continue to oversee remediation of a 45-acre zone containing radioactive tailings.
String of deaths underscores persistent dangers
Fatal incidents continue to highlight the site’s risks. In July 2024, 18-year-old Victor Arias-Peralta of Perth Amboy drowned after attempting to swim across Crystal Lake. Just a month earlier, 33-year-old Edwin Toro-Mejia of Howell Township died after suffering a cramp mid-swim.
Additional victims include a 22-year-old from Cliffside Park in 2021, a 17-year-old Manchester resident in 2015, and a Plainfield man in 2020. The area’s cold, mineral-heavy water is known to sap energy rapidly, contributing to the drownings.
The terrain has also caused numerous ATV and UTV crashes. In 2020, 62-year-old James Grover died when his vehicle flipped into deep water. Police say the area is especially dangerous to off-road vehicles due to loose sand and sudden terrain shifts.
Crackdowns increase as summer crowds return
Police are enforcing a “zero tolerance” policy for trespassers. In 2022, a joint operation involving multiple law enforcement agencies resulted in over 220 citations during a three-day sweep, including 90 criminal violations. Officers encountered more than 200 unauthorized visitors using ATVs and watercraft.
Manchester Police Chief Antonio Ellis emphasized that patrols will continue this summer, especially on holiday weekends. Mayor Robert Hudak has backed proposed ordinances to raise fines and penalties for violators.
Nearby residents in neighborhoods such as Leisure Village West and Summit Park frequently report noise from engines, loud music, and bonfire activity near the site.
Despite warnings, social media keeps the site in spotlight
Interest in the site has surged in recent years, fueled by social media posts portraying it as a “hidden gem.” Despite frequent mentions of prior deaths, many posts downplay the dangers and focus on the site’s aesthetics, prompting further illegal visits.
Police urge the public to recognize the risks and respect private property laws, as they brace for another summer of enforcement at what has become one of Ocean County’s most dangerous unauthorized destinations.
