Ocean County News, Weather & Scanner Reports

🎡💰 ATLANTIC CITY’S STEEL PIER HITS THE MARKET WITH $85 MILLION PRICE TAG 🌊

The historic Steel Pier in Atlantic City is for sale with an $85 million asking price. The 130-year-old amusement park will remain open through 2026 as the listing opens the door for potential hotel or residential redevelopment.

🚨🔎 SEARCH CONTINUES FOR SUSPECT IN FATAL TOMS RIVER WAWA SHOOTING

Police are searching for 51-year-old Douglas Cobb in connection with the fatal shooting of Bruce Gress at a Toms River Wawa on September 18. Authorities consider Cobb a fugitive and are asking the public for help locating him.

💔 TRAGEDY IN LAVALLETTE: VEHICLE CRASHES INTO RESTAURANT, ONE DEAD 🕊️

A 56-year-old Toms River woman died and seven others were injured after a vehicle crashed into a Lavallette restaurant on Saturday. Police say a 93-year-old driver accidentally hit the gas instead of the brake while trying to park.

⚖️🚨 MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP MAN SENTENCED TO 6 YEARS FOR SHOOTING AT BICYCLIST 🚨

Anthony M. Zigarelli of Manchester Township received a six-year prison sentence for shooting at a bicyclist in May 2024. The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and weapons charges, and he must serve at least 85% of his term.

🕯️ BARNEGAT MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE; COURT RECORDS DETAIL INVESTIGATION 🕯️

William Garvin of Barnegat faces murder charges for allegedly strangling his wife, Eileen Garvin, during an argument over a fish pond. Police found the suspect with a self-inflicted stab wound near his wife's body at their Windward Drive home.

⚠️ MANCHESTER TOWNSHIP MAN INDICTED IN OCEAN COUNTY CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL CASE ⚖️

An Ocean County grand jury indicted Phillip Ommundsen of Manchester Township for possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material through social media. Ommundsen is currently serving a prison sentence in Pennsylvania for separate charges involving the attempted assault of a minor.

⚖️ 12-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR TOMS RIVER MAN IN COCAINE CASES

A judge sentenced a 41-year-old Toms River man to 12 years in prison following his guilty plea for cocaine distribution, eluding, and financial facilitation. Police arrested him twice in 2025 after uncovering large amounts of drugs and cash during separate investigations.

🚨 POINT PLEASANT BOROUGH MAN INDICTED IN CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL CASE

An Ocean County grand jury indicted John Olson of Point Pleasant Borough for allegedly possessing and manufacturing child sexual abuse material. Investigators claim Olson used hidden cameras to record children inside a home that formerly operated as a foster care facility.

🚨💎 SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, NJ: THIEVES SMASH JEWELRY CASES DURING OVERNIGHT BREAK-IN

Two burglars smashed display cases at Bentley Diamonds on Route 35 early Thursday morning before fleeing the scene. Spring Lake Heights police are investigating the break-in, which follows a similar jewelry store burglary in nearby Ocean Township last month.

🚨 DEADLY PARKWAY COLLISION CLAIMS TOMS RIVER RESIDENT 🚨

A 57-year-old Toms River man died Thursday afternoon after his SUV struck a guardrail and crashed into a tree on the Garden State Parkway. New Jersey State Police are still investigating the cause of the fatal accident near milepost 103.1.

🔥🚔 LAKEWOOD MAN CHARGED WITH AGGRAVATED ARSON AFTER SYNAGOGUE FIRE INVESTIGATION

Lakewood police arrested Yaakov Stern, 48, for aggravated arson following a fire at a local synagogue on Delaware Trail. While the blaze was initially considered accidental, investigators charged Stern after surveillance footage allegedly showed him intentionally setting fire to religious podiums.

🚨 BRICK DRIVER ARRESTED AFTER POLICE SAY SCHOOL ZONE STOP TURNED INTO HIGH-SPEED PURSUIT 🚔

Brick Township police arrested a local man Tuesday after he allegedly fled a traffic stop near a high school. Officials say the driver reached 73 mph and nearly struck two crossing guards before leading officers on a foot chase through neighborhood backyards.

🚔🎒 BRICK POLICE ANNOUNCE HEIGHTENED TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT AROUND SCHOOLS

Brick Township police and the Ocean County Sheriff's Office are increasing traffic enforcement in school zones to protect students. Officers will focus on speeding, distracted driving, and bus violations following a fatal crash involving a student bicyclist in May.

🇺🇸✈️ WILDWOODS AIR SHOW TO HONOR 9/11 VICTIMS AND HEROES WITH AERIAL TRIBUTE

The Wildwoods Air Show returns September 12–13 with aerial performances by the United States Air Force and other pilots. This free event will include a special tribute to the victims and heroes of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

🚨 Former Ocean County Fire Chief and Police Officer Indicted in Alleged Sexual Assaults Involving 11 Victims

A state grand jury indicted former Silverton fire chief and Island Heights police officer Robert M. Sinnott Jr. for allegedly assaulting 11 victims over two decades. Authorities say he used his official positions to restrain victims under the guise of training.

🚨 OCEAN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CONDUCT HIGH-VISIBILITY TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT DETAIL 🚔

Ocean County law enforcement will conduct a high-visibility traffic detail on Friday, September 4, to reduce crashes during the busy Labor Day weekend. Officers are participating in the statewide Goal: Zero initiative to prevent fatalities by targeting speeding and impaired driving.

🚔 Colts Neck Police Sergeant Charged With Theft After Allegedly Failing to Perform Duties While on Duty

⚖️ FREEHOLD MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO ATTEMPTED MURDER, CHILD ENDANGERMENT & ELUDING ⚖️

Jaden Thompson of Freehold pleaded guilty to attempted murder and other charges for a 2025 stabbing in Jackson Township. The nineteen-year-old fled the scene with an infant present and led police on a high-speed chase before his arrest in Edison.

🚔TWO WOMEN TO REMAIN DETAINED FOLLOWING DEADLY JACKSON TOWNSHIP CRASH🚔

A judge ordered two women to remain in the Ocean County Jail following a fatal August crash in Jackson Township. Maria CobonGuzman faces manslaughter charges, while Ariadna Lazaro-Flores is charged with creating a substantial risk of death.

🚨 LAKEHURST MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO VEHICULAR HOMICIDE IN DEADLY TOMS RIVER CRASH 🚨

Douglas Smith of Lakehurst pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide for a 2025 crash that killed a construction worker in Toms River. Prosecutors are seeking a 10-year prison sentence because Smith was driving with drugs and alcohol in his system.

⛈️🚨 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING — OCEAN & BURLINGTON COUNTIES

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect for parts of Ocean and Burlington counties as a storm moves through the region. Residents should expect 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-size hail, which could damage trees, power lines, and vehicles.

🚨⛈️ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING — UNTIL 9:00 PM ⚡🚨

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for five New Jersey counties until 9:00 p.m. tonight. Residents should stay indoors to avoid damaging winds, frequent lightning, and potential flooding across the region.

🚨🐕‍🦺 SOUTH TOMS RIVER K9 LOKI RUSHED FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY AFTER MEDICAL EMERGENCY

South Toms River Police K9 Loki is undergoing emergency surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital after falling ill during a training session. A medevac program helped transport the dog for advanced care, and officials are asking the community for their support.

🚔 TOMS RIVER POLICE HIGHLIGHT JULY INVESTIGATIONS, DRUG SEIZURES AND MAJOR ARRESTS

Toms River Police Department detectives conducted several major investigations in July, leading to the seizure of two kilograms of cocaine and $200,000. Officers also arrested suspects for child exploitation and the theft of over $33,000 in sunglasses from a local business.

🚨9-MONTH-OLD BOY KILLED IN JACKSON PARKING LOT CRASH; UNLICENSED DRIVER CHARGED

A nine-month-old boy died after an unlicensed driver struck a mother and her two children in a Jackson Township parking lot on Friday. Police charged the driver with manslaughter and another woman for allowing her to operate the vehicle without a license.

🚨🌊 OFF-DUTY NJ LIFEGUARD JUMPS INTO ACTION, SAVES 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL FROM ROUGH OCEAN CURRENTS 🛟👏

Off-duty lifeguard Ryan Gibson rescued an 11-year-old girl from rough currents at Cape May Point on Wednesday. Gibson and fellow lifeguards brought the child to safety at a rock jetty after she was pulled away from the shore.

🚨⛈️ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING — BURLINGTON & OCEAN COUNTIES

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Burlington and Ocean counties until 3:15 p.m. Residents should move indoors to avoid damaging wind gusts, lightning, and heavy rain that may cause hazardous driving conditions.

🚨🌧️ FLOOD WATCH — MUCH OF NEW JERSEY

A Flood Watch is in effect for most of New Jersey until 4:00 AM Friday. Heavy rain and thunderstorms could cause flash flooding in low-lying areas, and residents are urged to avoid driving through flooded roads.

🚨⛈️ SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH — MUCH OF NEW JERSEY

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for fifteen New Jersey counties until 8:00 PM tonight. Residents should prepare for potential damaging winds, large hail, and flooding while monitoring local weather updates for possible warnings.

🚨 STILL MISSING: Mariah A. Hetzel Has Been Missing for More Than Four Months

The family of 28-year-old Mariah A. Hetzel is seeking help finding her after she went missing from Brick on April 12, 2026. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts should contact her mother at 732-966-8085.

⚖️ Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Over Elderly Woman’s Care at Jersey Shore Facilities

The estate of Andrea Palendrano filed a wrongful death lawsuit against three Jersey Shore medical facilities, alleging negligence and poor care led to her death. The complaint claims inadequate staffing and monitoring caused the elderly woman to suffer from infections and sepsis.

🚤 Barnegat Woman Charged in Deadly Memorial Day Weekend Boat Crash

A Barnegat woman faces a second-degree charge for death by vessel following a fatal boat crash during Memorial Day weekend. Jennifer Pearson surrendered to New Jersey State Police on multiple charges, including operating a vessel while under the influence and reckless operation.

🚔 Two Arrests Stem From Separate Investigations During Wawa Visit in Browns Mills

Lakewood police arrested two men during a single visit to a Browns Mills Wawa while investigating a stolen credit card. One man faces fraud charges, while the other was taken into custody for unrelated shoplifting incidents and an active warrant.

⚖️ Eatontown Family Sues Monmouth County Over Teen’s Serious Injury at Huber Woods Park

An Eatontown family is suing Monmouth County after a teenager suffered a serious heart injury when construction equipment fell on him at Huber Woods Park. The county is now seeking to include the boy's friend as a defendant in the lawsuit.

🚸 Brick Council Moves to Lower Lanes Mill Road Speed Limit Following Teen’s Death

The Brick Township Council introduced an ordinance to lower the speed limit on Lanes Mill Road to 35 miles per hour following the death of a teenage cyclist. Residents are also calling for functioning school-zone lights and more crossing guards.

🚨⚖️ JERSEY COAST EMERGENCY NEWS OWNER CHRISTOPHER R. LYLE FACES STALKING & WITNESS TAMPERING CHARGES

A judge found probable cause to charge Christopher R. Lyle, owner of Jersey Coast Emergency News, with stalking and witness tampering. The charges follow a long-running dispute and social media conflict with a Toms River resident.

🚨⚖️ BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: NJ MAN IN FATAL BARNEGAT BAY BOAT CRASH RELEASED FROM JAIL ⚖️🚨

A Berkeley Township man was released from jail Wednesday as he awaits trial for a fatal Barnegat Bay boat crash that killed his grandchildren. Criminal proceedings remain pending against the man, who was operating the vessel during the incident.

🦈🚨 DRONE-ASSISTED SHARK FISHING BANNED IN TWO JERSEY SHORE TOWNS 🚨🦈

Police in Bay Head and Mantoloking are banning the use of drones to carry baited shark fishing hooks offshore. Authorities cited state laws prohibiting unmanned aircraft systems for taking wildlife, noting concerns that the practice draws dangerous sharks closer to swimmers.

🚨 Berkeley Township Police Arrest Alleged Courier in $50,000 Senior Citizen Scam

Berkeley Township Police arrested a New York man for his role in a scam that defrauded a senior citizen of $50,000. Officers caught the suspect during a sting operation after he allegedly arrived at the victim's home to collect more money.

🚔🚶‍♂️ UNDERCOVER OFFICERS TARGET CROSSWALK VIOLATIONS DURING LONG BEACH TOWNSHIP TRAFFIC DETAIL

Long Beach Township police conducted an undercover traffic operation using officers dressed as pedestrians to catch drivers who failed to stop at crosswalks. The detail resulted in 38 traffic stops and one arrest as part of a summer safety initiative.