New charges for Toms River athlete in robbery probe

The Toms River High School North footballer accused of a role in a June 1 mugging outside a township housing complex was involved in a car crash that resulted in unrelated charges several weeks earlier, according to police.

Asante Moorer, 18, ended up in Jersey Shore University Medical Center after the May 11 collision on Route 9, and was therefore not arrested at the time, but is scheduled for a court appearance, police said.

The early-afternoon crash created a southbound bottleneck lasting several hours. Police said Moorer, behind the wheel of a car registered in New York and without the owner's consent, veered off the highway and slammed a tree.

According to police, investigators found marijuana inside the car.

Moorer was charged with operating a motor vehicle while in possession of a controlled substance, driving without a valid license, careless driving, and operating a vehicle without consent of the owner.

Two 17-year-olds arrested with Moorer are accused of beating and robbing the victim outside Winteringham Gardens. Police allege that Moorer took possession of the money gleaned during the robbery. A fourth suspect, Jorge Ratliff, 24, remains on the loose.