5 Arrested in Brick ‘Cops in Shops’ Detail

Brick Township Police

Brick police arrested five local residents and charged them with various offenses following a “Cops in Shops” detail.

Between Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, Brick police officers worked undercover at two township liquor stores, the Buy Rite store on Mantoloking Road and Wine World on Route 88, where they either posed as store employees or were positioned outside the store to apprehend adults who attempt to purchase alcohol for underage drinkers.

Two people were arrested at Buy Rite, Sgt. David Bedrosian said.

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Thomas Michael Johnson, 38, of Brick, was arrested on a charge of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and James Grover Carter IV, 42, of Beachwood was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Three more people were arrested at Wine World, Bedrosian said.

Michael F. O’Malley, 23, of Brick, was arrested on a charge of entering a licensed premise for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages for persons under the legal age. Also charged were two-17 year old juvenile males, one from Point Pleasant Borough and the other from Wall Township, said Bedrosian. The two juveniles were subsequently charged on juvenile complaints for entering a licensed premise and attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages while under the legal age to do so, and while being under the legal age, attempt to have a person of legal age purchase for him.

The matters are pending juvenile court action.

O’Malley, Bedrosian said, was processed on scene and released on a short form of complaint pending court action. Both Johnson and Carter were arrested and transported to Brick Township Police headquarters where they were processed and released on criminal complaint summonses pending court action, he said.

The officers involved in the detail included Detective Tim McCarthy, and Patrolmen Robert Heschle, Richard Crimi and Ryan Talty.

“Attitudes among some adults and young people about the dangers of underage drinking can range from indifferent to dismissive, making our job that much more challenging,” Bedrosian, who is also the township’s traffic safety unit supervisor, said in a statement. ” The Brick Township Police Department remains committed in cracking down on underage drinking and those who buy alcohol for them. The use of supplemental DUI patrols, sobriety checkpoints and Cops in Shops details will continue to be employed through Labor Day and beyond.”