Armed Robbery investigation leads to four arrests; 2 suspects still at large
Charges include possession, child endangerment, and obstruction
A 3 a.m. Sunday armed robbery call to the Wanamassa neighborhood led the arrest of four township residents and the ongoing search for two other suspects in connection to the crime, Ocean Township Police Department announced in Wednesday afternoon news release.
Officials are seeking the public’s help locating township resident Marcus Blackmon 19, [shown at left below] and Lamont Reid, 19, of Asbury Park [shown at right below].
Responding Officer Brendan Bernhard was called near 3:04 a.m. to the 1400 block of Maple Avenue, where he found two 17-year-old male victims. The teens said they were robbed at gunpoint by four males, who stole sneakers and cellular telephone.
The Ocean Township Police Criminal Investigation Bureau, Deal Police Department and the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department K9 Unit were called in to assist.
The investigation led police to a home on Monmouth Road in the Oakhurst section, where the found four males under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the news release.
Two of the four armed robbery suspects, identified as Edwin Rodriguez, 19, of Oakhurst and Raquan Dean, 18, of Oakhurst, were arrested in connection with the armed robbery. The other two males at the residence were handed obstruction and child endangerment charges for engaging in drug activity while a three- and four-year-old were present, officials said.The Division of Child Protection and Permanency responded.
Investigating officer Det. Sgt. Patrick Martin was injured when one of the dogs present attacked him inside the home. Martin was treated and released from an area hospital and Animal Control took temporary custody of the dogs.
Officials said a 1998 Toyota Corolla, used in commission of the crime, was seized pending civil forfeiture proceedings.
The four men were charged as follow:
Rodriguez was charged with robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon [a handgun], possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, child endangerment, obstruction and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Dean was charged with robbery, child endangerment, obstruction and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Mark Santos, 19, of Oakhurst was charged with child endangerment, obstruction and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.
And, Paul Ashton II, 24, of Oakhurst was charged with child Endangerment, obstruction and being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance.
Rodriguez and Dean were remanded to Monmouth County Jail in lieu of respective $230,000 and $130,000 bail set by Superior Court Judge Ronald Reisner. Santos and Ashton were released on summons, pending a future court hearing.
Assisting in the investigation were Police Officer Kevin Donohoe, Detectives Jesse Orbach, Michael Melody, Raheem Carter and Detective Sgt. Patrick Martin.
Anyone with information pertaining to the whereabouts of Blackmon and Reid are urged to contact:
OTPD Main number: 732-531-1800
Crime Tips – Anonymous: 732-531-3323
OTPD Detectives: 732-531-1428
Email: CrimeTips@OceanTwp.org
Or Direct Message via Social Media:
www.facebook.com/OceanTwpPolice
www.twitter.com/OceanTwpPolice
[Photos courtesy of Ocean Township Police Department]
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