Handcuffs (Shorebeat File Photo/ banspy/ Flickr)
The Brick police department’s Street Crimes Unit arrested six suspects following two traffic stops during its latest crackdown on drug offenses in the township.
The first stop occurred July 14, Ptl. Victoria Finelli said Tuesday. At the 11:30 p.m. stop, SCU Detectives pulled over a vehicle in the area of the Walmart parking lot on Route 88. The ensuing investigation resulted in the discovery of cocaine and drug paraphernalia, Finelli said. The two occupants of the vehicle, identified as Austin Keiser, 43, of Toms River, and Kathleen Lastra, 53, of Toms River, were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia.
Keiser received the additional charge of distributing cocaine. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail and Lastra was released on a summons.
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The second stop occurred Monday, July 25 at about 10:45 p.m.
Detectives noticed four adults, a child and a dog all seated within three seats of a small sedan that committed several traffic violations in the area of the Walmart parking lot, Finelli said. An investigation “led to the discovery of crystal methamphetamine, prescription pills, heroin, paraphernalia, and drug packaging materials.”
The driver, Chastity Torro, 47, of Neptune City, was charged with possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, possession of crystal methamphetamine, heroin, prescription legend pills, and possession of drug paraphernalia, endangering the welfare of children and several motor vehicle summonses. She was lodged in Ocean County Jail.
The child and dog were turned over to a family friend.
Passenger Noah Mangan, 43, of Brick, was charged with possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, possession of crystal methamphetamine, prescription legend pills, heroin and drug paraphernalia. Mangan allegedly provided a false name to officers during the investigation and was also charged with hindering his own apprehension for the three outstanding warrants for his arrest.
Mangan was lodged in Ocean County Jail.
Another passenger, James Sanderson, 41, of Freehold, was charged with possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, possession of crystal methamphetamine, heroin, prescription legend pills and paraphernalia. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail.
Finally, passenger Ashley Johnston, 30, of Manchester, was charged with possession with intent to distribute crystal methamphetamine, possession of crystal methamphetamine, heroin, prescription legend pills and drug paraphernalia. During the investigation, Finelli said, Johnston “confirmed the false name provided by Mangan, which led to the additional charge of hindering apprehension of another.”
Johnston was released on a summons.
