Cops in Shops Nets Arrests

Five people  were arrested over the weekend during Brick Township's "Cops in Shops" program, according to authorities. 

Undercover police officers conducted details at various liquor stores within the Township, which resulted in the individuals being taken into custody.

Thirty-eight-year old Thomas Johnson of Brick was arrested at the Buy Rite Liquors on Mantoloking Road for allegedly distributing a controlled dangerous substance. Forty-two-year-old James Carter of Beachwood was charged with possessing a controlled dangerous substance and paraphernalia, driving with a revoked license and operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Twenty-three-year-old Michael O'Malley of Brick was arrested at Wine World on Route 88 on a charge of  entering a licensed premise for the purpose of purchasing alcoholic beverages for minors. Authorities also charged two 17-year-old juvenile males from Point Pleasant Borough and Wall Township with entering a licensed premise and attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages while under the legal age and trying to get someone to buy alcohol for them.  The matters are pending juvenile court action

Detective Tim McCarthy and Patrolmen Robert Heschle, Richard Crimi and Ryan Talty were all involved in the detail.

Under the Cops in Shops grant program, police officers work undercover in participating retail locations. Law enforcement officials either pose as store employees or are positioned outside the establishment to apprehend adults who attempt to purchase alcohol for underage drinkers. The New Jersey Cops in Shops program is recognized nationally as a successful program.

Brick police plan on continuing to crack down on underage drinking and those who buy alcohol for them through DUI patrols, sobriety checkpoints and Cops and Shops details through Labor Day and beyond.