WALL TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Hit-and-run crashes, drug arrests and prostitution-related charges drove a busy week for Wall Township police, with officers making more than a dozen arrests tied to warrants, narcotics, drunken driving and resisting arrest investigations between May 18 and May 24.
Among the most serious incidents, investigators charged a Manchester man with drunken driving after police said he fled a crash scene on Eighteenth Avenue Tuesday evening. Officers also arrested a Toms River man on marijuana distribution and psychedelic mushroom charges during a State Highway 18 traffic stop Friday.
Several arrests unfolded at motels along State Highway 35 and State Highway 33/34, locations that repeatedly appeared in the department’s weekly blotter released Sunday by the Wall Township Police Department.
Hit-and-Run DWI Arrest Highlights Week
Patrolman Vincent Colucci arrested 28-year-old Justus Richardson of Manchester following a hit-and-run crash reported at 6:25 p.m. Tuesday on Eighteenth Avenue, according to Wall Township police.
Investigators said Richardson struck another vehicle and left the scene before officers quickly located him on Central Avenue. During the investigation, police charged Richardson with driving while intoxicated and discovered he also had traffic warrants from Point Pleasant and Neptune.
Richardson posted bail and was released under the requirements of John’s Law, which restricts intoxicated drivers from operating vehicles after release.
Another DWI arrest came Wednesday night when Patrolman Joshua Wheeler responded to a motor vehicle crash investigation on State Highway 70 around 8:01 p.m.
Police charged 51-year-old Regulo Serrano-Garay of Point Pleasant with driving while intoxicated following the crash investigation. He was processed and released under John’s Law.
Key Points
• Wall Township police made multiple DWI, drug and warrant arrests between May 18 and May 24
• A Manchester man allegedly fled a crash before officers located him on Central Avenue
• Drug and prostitution-related investigations led to arrests at local highways and motels
Drug and Warrant Arrests Stretch Across Township
Drug-related charges surfaced Friday when Patrolman Daniel Grothues stopped a vehicle on State Highway 18 and arrested 47-year-old Jarrone Perry of Toms River.
According to Wall Township police, Perry faces charges including marijuana distribution, possession of psilocybin mushrooms and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers transported him to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution after processing.
Police also arrested 44-year-old Kelly Kozub of Wall on Sunday during an investigation at the Express Inn on State Highway 33/34.
Patrolman Collin McCarthy charged Kozub with loitering for the purpose of prostitution, obstruction, possession of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia. Police processed Kozub and released her on a summons.
Motels along State Highway 35 also became focal points for warrant investigations during the week.
Detective Devin Corso arrested 40-year-old William Segars of Wall Monday at the Budget Inn on multiple Wall Township warrants. Segars posted bail and was released.
Later in the week, Patrolman Collin McCarthy arrested 52-year-old Bita Sharifi-Azad of Asbury Park at the same motel on a Neptune criminal warrant. Neptune authorities released her on her own recognizance.
Resisting Arrest and Assault Charges Filed
Several suspects also faced obstruction and resisting arrest allegations during separate investigations and traffic stops.
Patrolman Clint Forgach arrested 28-year-old Kevin McEnough of Neptune Wednesday at the Wall Township Municipal Complex on obstruction and resisting arrest charges. Officers transported McEnough to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
On Thursday, Patrolman Joseph Liddy arrested 24-year-old Carlos Benton of Union during a motor vehicle stop on State Highway 34. Benton faces obstruction and resisting arrest charges and was also taken to the county jail.
That same day, Patrolman Johan Moreno arrested two people during a traffic stop on State Highway 35.
Police charged 26-year-old Calvialy Romulus of Neptune with hindering and on a New Jersey Wanted Person Warrant. Officers transported Romulus to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.
Police also charged 26-year-old Zyiesha Mason of Asbury Park with providing false information. She received a summons and was released.
Elsewhere, Patrolman Collin McCarthy arrested 33-year-old Nico Rodriguez of Belmar Thursday on a New Jersey Wanted Person Warrant following an investigation on Sixteenth Avenue.