After 6 Arrests, Brick Police Say Adult Bookstore Parking Lot a ‘Hotbed’ for Suspicious Activity

Pleasure Zone, Brick, NJ (Credit: Google Maps)

Brick police have arrested six people over the course of several weeks in the parking lot behind the Pleasure Zone adult bookstore on Chambers Bridge Road, all by the department’s Drug Enforcement Unit.

The arrests were made between March 5 and May 15, said Sgt. Jim Kelly, who described several of the investigations leading to arrests. During the first incident, DEU detectives noticed suspicious activity which led to the arrest and charging of a suspect for possession of heroin and paraphernalia. Police have not released the man’s identity.

That same day, only a half-hour later, another arrest was made by the same DEU detectives. Brian Strassburg, 27, of Brick, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and paraphernalia. Patrolmen Christopher Newlund assisted in that arrest.

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The next day, March 6, at 10 p.m., DEU detectives once again observed suspicious activity behind the Pleasure Zone store, and an ensuing investigation led to the arrest of Christian Luna, 19, and Jose Luna-Serrano, 27, both of Jackson. Both arrestees were charged with marijuana possession and paraphernalia, said Kelly. Luna also received a motor vehicle summons, and Luna-Serrano was processed on an outstanding warrant out of Howell Township. Patrolman Cody Oliverio and K9 Officer Scott Smith assisted with those arrests.

A month later, on April 11 at 3 p.m., DEU detectives made another arrest behind the Pleasure Zone, which led to charges of possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia against Edward Restaino, 52, of Linden.

Most recently, on May 15 at around midnight, DEU detectives arrested Muhammad Umer, whose last known address is in Maryland, for possession of methamphetamine and paraphernalia. Umer’s vehicle was also impounded for inactive insurance, for which Umer was issued a summons, Kelly said.

“The rear lot of the Pleasure Zone has been a hotbed of suspicious activity, including drug use,” said Kelly. “These arrests and other investigative practices are part of an effort to curb the illicit activity. Police have also been in communication with the management of the Pleasure Zone about efforts on their part to dissuade people from utilizing their rear lot for such activities.”

Kelly said steps taken by Pleasure Zone management have included increased lighting in the area, installing surveillance cameras, and signage warning would-be criminals that the area is under surveillance.