UPDATE! Friday Briefs From WOBM News

News from Ocean & Monmouth counties and around New Jersey.

TOMS RIVER – There’s new information today about Monday’s holdup of a Silverton convenience store. Township police have released a sketch of the suspect who ripped off the Asby News shop for $200. See the sketch here on our web page. They’re trying to determine if it’s the same suspect who held up a pizza delivery driver three days earlier in the same area.

TOMS RIVER - He broke the news of his re-election bid first here on WOBM and Monday night, Shore Congressman Jon Runyan launches his campaign for a second term in Toms River. The crowd will be at the Holiday Inn on Route 37 at 7:00 Runyan will kick off his campaign in Burlington County at the Westin hotel in Mt. Laurel on Tuesday night.

ATLANTIC CITY – When the Revel Casino opens in April it will have more part time jobs than any of Atlantic City’s other casinos. CEO Kevin Desanctis tells the Associated Press the casino wants to avoid having to demote full time workers if business volume doesn’t support the number of workers the casino hired.

LAKEWOOD – Township school officials plan to phase out the Lakewood Middle School and convert the building to a K-8 in an attempt to restructure a massive kindergarten enrollment. The system currently has about 600 kindergartners. The reoriented school will join four other elementaries.

BRICK - Brick Mayor Steve Acropolis is expected to introduce a budget that calls for the elimination of the township’s public works department. The Asbury Park Press reports 77 public works employees Wednesday received notices their jobs would be terminated at the close of business March 30th. Officials say garbage pickup, recycling, building and grounds, and motor vehicle maintenance positions would be preformed by private contractors saving taxpayers over $7million.

TOMS RIVER – A Toms River man faces aggravated assault charges after allegedly striking a man in the head with a baseball bat early Thursday morning. Police investigating the attack, took 19-year-old Louis Livesay into custody at his home. Witnesses say it all started when the victim, 20-year-old Tyler Wallis, went to Livesay’s home to collect a $20 debt which triggered a verbal exchange and the alleged assault. Wallis was treated for numerous facial fractures

BARNEGAT - Barnegat Police tally up a total of 102 drug-related cases last year. Department data reveals 9 warrant searches among 60 arrests and the seizure of $40,000 in drugs, cash, and vehicles including more than $7000 each in prescription meds and heroin. Police say watchful citizens are instrumental in slamming drug crimes.

RED BANK - A Red Bank 19-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison for vehicular homicide, pleading guilty Thursday to the 2011 crash that killed a passenger and left another mangled. Adam Sofio today admitted speeding while drunk, losing control and smashing a tree on cooper road at about 2AM last February 27th. Sofio also risks a five-year sentence for assault by auto.

BARNEGAT - The search for the Mandy Ness is officially over. The 44-foot fishing boat capsized off Barnegat Light in early January. Five Coast Guard dive teams combed 24 square miles of sea floor for two weeks and found no trace, leading to the suspension Saturday.officials say they have enough data to complete their probe. Captain Jim Mears of Barnegat Light died in the wreck.

TOMS RIVER – As if you needed another reminder to lock your car doors, a couple in the township are missing GPS devices after being looted this morning. Police say they spotted two men, about 6’0″, wearing dark hoodies, checking out cars in driveways on Marc Drive about 4:30 AM. Shortly later they learned that a $300 Garmin Nuvi 1450 and a $100 iPod Nano were swiped from a 2003 saturn. A jeep on Dallas Drive was relieved of a $600 Magellan Road Mate and $70 cash.

BRICK TOWNSHIP – It’s an old scam by now, but it’s still working on township residents – especially seniors. Phone callers claim to be relatives in trouble in distant places, or faraway lottery officials notifying you of winnings. They want your cash by Western Union wire transfer, or your personal identification, or both. Brick Township investigators say at least one resident has been cleaned out of thousands of dollars. They’re tracing this batch of calls to Canada. Call police or the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office of you think you’ve been swindled.

MIDDLETOWN – He’s led Monmouth County Democrats for 23 years, but party Chairman Victor Scudiery, 78, says he’ll step down when his term ends in June. Marlboro Democratic Chair Frank LaRocca and Long Branch businessman Vin Gopal loom as likely candidates when the countywide committee meets after the June 5 primary.