Toms River man arrested for attempted murder of TRPD Detective
A Toms River man has been charged with attempted murder after hitting a TRPD Officer with his car on Tuesday during an undercover police sting.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer and Toms River Police Chief Mitch Little have co-announced the arrest of Brian Swain, 48, of Toms River who is charged with Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:5-1a(1) and N.J.S.A.2C:11-3a(1), Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:39-4d, and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:39-5d.
Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force Detectives and members of the Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team observed drug activity in the parking lot of a Walgreen’s on River Avenue.
Officers then executed a motor vehicle stop just over the Lakewood border in the Seagull Square Mall.
As Detectives approached the vehicle, the driver, Swain, quickly hit the accelerator and then abruptly stopped.
Swain then accelerated the vehicle a second time and struck a Toms River Police Officer, causing injury to the Officer.
Swain then drove away but officers quickly caught up to him in the parking lot by Toms River Township Police Department and placed him under arrest.
The Officer was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed but minor injuries before he was released.
Swain is currently lodged in the Ocean County Jail awaiting a detention hearing.
There were two (2) passengers in Swain’s vehicle at the time of the stop.
Emil Menching, age 39, of Toms River, who has been charged with Possession of Heroin in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:35-10a(1), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:36-2, and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle in violation of N.J.S.A.2C:36-6a. Menching was released pending a future court date.
The other passenger, Timothy Meseroll, was arrested on an active warrant out of municipal court, for which he posted bail and was released.
More From The Jersey Shore: