FREEHOLD, N.J. — A 39-year-old man from Neptune Township is facing numerous criminal charges for allegedly falsely claiming ownership of two vacant homes where he was found residing in recent months, according to an announcement from Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.
Markies L. Wells, also known as Messiah Law-Elbey, has been charged with a series of offenses, including second-degree Armed Burglary, second-degree Attempted Theft, second-degree Theft, third-degree Burglary, third-degree Criminal Mischief, third-degree Resisting Arrest, third-degree Threatening to Kill Members of Law Enforcement, fourth-degree Falsifying or Tampering with Records, fourth-degree Obstruction of Justice, fourth-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, fourth-degree Theft of Utility Services, fourth-degree Trespassing, and fourth-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon.
The investigation into Wells’ activities began in March 2024 when the Keansburg Police Department discovered that he had entered an abandoned home on Pine View Avenue through a rear window and changed the locks. He was arrested and initially charged for this incident.
A similar incident occurred in July 2024 when the Holmdel Police Department found that Wells had entered a foreclosed home on Middletown Road, again changing the locks and taking up residence. He used utilities that had not been disconnected and allowed his three dogs to cause significant damage to the home’s interior.
When Wells was arrested at the Middletown Road property, he was found in possession of a knife and threatened to kill the arresting officers. Following his arrest, a Monmouth County Superior Court Judge ordered Wells to be held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) while the criminal proceedings against him continued.
Further investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, along with Keansburg and Holmdel police, revealed that Wells had also filed falsified documents with the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, falsely claiming ownership of both the Keansburg and Holmdel properties.
Assistant Prosecutor Kristen Anastos of the MCPO Financial Crimes/Special Prosecutions Unit is handling the case. Information regarding Wells’ legal representation was not immediately available.
The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office is urging anyone with additional information about Wells’ activities to contact Detective Michael Acquaviva at 800-533-7443.
Despite the serious charges against him, Wells, like all defendants, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
