A Manahawkin pawnbroker is under arrest in a lengthy probe of fenced stolen items and illegal gun transactions in southern Ocean County.

iStock/Townsquare Digital
iStock/Townsquare Digital
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Dennis Ayala, 56, owner of Shore Gold and Pawn on East Bay Avenue, is charged with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession/sale of a firearm, and pawnbroker selling firearms. His bail was set at $150,000 in Ocean County Superior Court.

Dennis Ayala (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
Dennis Ayala (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
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According to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, the seven-month investigation by county and Stafford law enforcement centered around suspicious and undocumented transactions and the illegal sale of a firearm at the shop.

Early on July 22, detectives found Ayala driving a black 2010 Ford Expedition in Stafford's Ocean Acres section. A search of the SUV and of the shop yielded a stolen .38-caliber revolver, two semi-automatic 9 mm handguns, ammunition, anabolic steroids, and about $5,000 in cash. The vehicle was impounded.

More arrests and charges are expected, authorities said. Anyone with information involving this or related cases can speak to Stafford Police Detective Stephen Fessler, 609-597-1189, extension 8447.

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