Friday Briefs From WOBM News

News headlines from Ocean & Monmouth counties and around New Jersey.

LAKEWOOD - The jury for the murder trial of accused cop killer Jahmell Crockam is in place, with pre-trial motions expected to be heard Monday. Reports say 16 people were selected to sit on the jury. Four of them will serve as alternates. Crockam’s accused of gunning down Lakewood patrolman Christopher Matlosz last January during a routine traffic stop. Crockam could face life in prison. He’s also charged in a seperate 2010 murder.

BRICK - 39 sick or at risk puppies are rescued from a Brick Township pet store by Ocean County health officials. Reports say the Puppies Galore store in the Brick Mall was closed due to unsafe conditions and unhealthy animals. Some of the ill dogs were in serious condition. No arrests have been made but the investigation is continuing. The store remains closed until a court hearing. Several animal shelters are taking care of the sick dogs.

TOMS RIVER – The attempted mugging of a pizza delivery driver Thursday night in the township’s Pleasant Plains section is under investigation today. Toms River Police are searching for two suspects who tried to run the pockets of the 19-year-old victim around 9 PM outside a house on Camino Roble. The victim told police that they claimed to be armed with a gun, but he pushed them away and ran toward Massachusetts Avenue. Both are described as black males, around 19 years of age, wearing puffy black coats. One was said to be about 5’8″,  also clad in black pants and a multi-colored scarf. The second suspect is believed to be about 5’10″, wearing dark pants and a dark scarf. Anyone with information that might lead to the arrest and conviction of the suspects should call Toms River Police at 732-349-0150.

WOODBRIDGE - Toll cheating is down on the Garden State Parkway. New Jersey Turnpike Authority officials say the violation rate dropped from 9 to 3 percent since cameras were placed in the exact change lanes. However, the agency has reportedly waved over $10,000 in violations for customers who’ve said they were fined unfairly.

EATONTOWN - An employee for an Eatontown based communications technology company is charged with embezzeling over $130-thousand dollars from her employer. 42-year-old Melissa Covey of Bridgewater was arrested by the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Thursday following an investigation. Officials accuse Covey of engaging in a systematic scheme of stealing computers and computer-related equipment from Quintum Technologies. Her bail is set at $75-thousand dollars

TRENTON – New Jersey school boards are being told they need to act quickly if they want to move school elections from April to November under a new state law. The state education department says they should do so by Feb. 17, about three weeks from now.

TOMS RIVER - The ranks of New Jersey State Police swell by 85 with this morning’s induction ceremonies in Toms River. New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa addressed the graduates at the Pine Belt Arena. Shore inductees include: Nicholas Bruno, Toms River; Jennifer Crombie and Kimberly Karpinski, Freehold; Michael Falciani, Sea Girt; Michael Katz, Atlantic City; Christopher Lacher, Point Pleasant; Jennifer Lauer, Egg Harbor City; Joeseph Malecki, Mays Landing; Thomas O’Connor, Jackson; Carlos Suarez, Marlboro; Brennan Sullivan, Neptune; Michael Travis, Asbury Park; Reece Woolston, Burlington.

TOMS RIVER - Law enforcement officials through out Ocean County will be able to handle an active shooter situation should one arise. Officers from 35 agencies took part in a 3-day tactical training exercise this week at a Seaside Park elementary school. The program, that ended Wednesday, brought in experts from the National Center For Biomedical Research training and Louisiana State University. It was funded through state and federal Homeland Security grants.

TUCKERTON – A pilot housing facility for single male veterans and current military personnel will soon be going up in Tuckerton. Reports say, town officials and a non-profit affordable housing group signed off on paperwork to get utility permits from the state Department Of Transportation. The 24-unit facility will be constructed at Tucker’s Wall on Route 9 just past the National Guard armory.

TOMS RIVER - In an effort to protect the Barnegat Bay, Ocean County plans to award contracts to upgrade storm detention basins. Freeholders plan to award the contracts at their upcoming meeting on February 1st. The basins will help remove nutrients before they enter the bay.

FREEHOLD – An employee of an Eatontown tech firm is charged with embezzling more than $130,000 worth of equipment from it. Melissa Covey, 42, of Bridgwater was arrested Thursday by Monmouth County investigators. Authorities accused Covey of pilfering computers and computer-related gear from Quintum Technologies.

OCEAN TOWNSHIP (MONMOUTH) – A Jackson man is charged with heroin possession and his companion is accused of shoplifting at a Costco here. Ocean Township police say that a store security guard watched 41-year-old Gregorio Lopez toss syringes and heroin into a trash bin in the parking lot outside the Seaview Square store, and also identified 29-year-old Ginnie Dawson of Somers Point as the shoplifter. Both were released to await court dates.

NEPTUNE – A legendary football Giant arrives in this town Monday to help spread the word about the fight to remedy concussions and strokes. Former Giants captain and Pro Bowler Harry Carson enters a partnership with Meridian Neuroscience as its spokesman during a ceremony at Jersey Shore University Medical Center. The event starts at 11:30 AM.