Day: June 20, 2021

Lakewood, Ocean County

2 Alarm For Well Involved Commercial Building In Lakewood

LAKEWOOD, NJ (0CEAN)–Around 4:30 a.m. Lakewood Police department received 9-1-1 calls reporting a possible structure fire in the area of 357 357 Squankum Road and Engine 5 was dispatched. Upon arrival police confirmed and reported a working fire, reporting flames from the 2nd floor. Engine 5 laid a supply line and started an interior attack and a 2nd alarm was called for sending additional equipment to the scene from Lakewood and surrounding towns.

Lakewood and surrounding departments battled the fire for a good 30 minutes to knock down the main body of fire and took an additional hour to bring the fully under control.

The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the fire.

No other information is available at this time.

MidJersey.News has reached out to Lakewood Police Department but has not received a reply as of this afternoon.

Photos and video by: Ryan Mack, Jersey Shore Fire Response

Photos by: Yossi Brander — The Lakewood Scoop
Howell, Monmouth County

One Critical And Two Others Stabbed In Howell Township

June 20, 2021

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ (MONMOUTH)–At approximately 12:10 a.m. June 19, 2021 Howell Police Communications received a 9-1-1 call reporting multiple people stabbed at Rodina Hall located at 243 Alexander Avenue.

Upon arrival, Howell officers were faced with a chaotic scene. They were met by security personnel who led them to three male victims who had significant  injuries after being stabbed. 

The officers were told three suspects fled the scene of this large party.  Officers Hurley and Norton quickly located two of the three along Route 9. They were identified as a 17 year old from Lakewood and a 44 year old resident of Patterson.   They were detained. 

Three Howell Police K9s responded along with our drone that is equipped with an infrared camera to search for the third. As of now, that third person has not been located.  It is also speculated there may not have been a third person involved.

Medical personnel including paramedics from RWJ/SB evaluated the victims and all three were transported to a local trauma center.  Currently, one still remains admitted.  He is expected to live.

Officers from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Crime Scene and Major Crimes units responded and assisted with processing the scene and interviews that included language translation. 

This investigation is ongoing. Currently, no one has been charged.  

If anyone has any information regarding this incident you are encouraged to contact Detective Bonner at 732-938-4575 x2647 or you can use our anonymous text service http://www.p3tips.com

We thank surrounding agencies for their assistance. This includes Lakewood Police and Jackson EMS.

East Brunswick, Middlesex County

East Brunswick Man Charged With Murder; Beat Victim With Baseball Bat

June 20, 2021

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ (MIDDLESEX)–Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone and Chief Frank LoSacco of the East Brunswick Police Department announced yesterday that a man has been arrested and charged with the murder of a male who was known to him.

Curtis Wright, 57, of East Brunswick has been charged with murder and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

On June 19, 2021, at approximately 6:49 A.M., authorities responded to a residence on Main Avenue following the report of an unconscious male. Upon their arrival, authorities located Howard Smith, 53, of East Brunswick who showed signs of blunt force trauma. Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation by Detective Alex Danese of the East Brunswick Police Department and Detective Ryan Tighe of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined Wright attacked the victim with a baseball bat.

Wright is presently lodged at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center where he is being held pending a pre-trial detention hearing in Superior Court.

The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Danese at (732) 390-6900 or Detective Tighe at (732) 745-3287.

As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Wright are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.