Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Gregory Meyer announced that on April 13, 2022, Dion Marsh, 27, of Manchester Township, was charged additionally with; Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:11-3a; Attempted Carjacking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2a(1); Attempted Kidnapping in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1a; and three counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(1), in connection with a series of events that occurred in Lakewood Township and Jackson Township on April 8, 2022.
Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:38-2, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer sought approval from Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin to charge Marsh with Terrorism. Accordingly, Marsh was charged on April 14, 2022 with Terrorism, a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:38-2.
“These charges filed yesterday and again today are the direct result of further investigation and in addition to the charges previously filed against Marsh on April 8, 2022. The previously filed charges include; three counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Carjacking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; and three counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(1),” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
With respect to the previously filed charges, on April 8, 2022, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Martin Luther King Drive and Pine Street for a report of a carjacking. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect approached a 2016 Toyota Camry, assaulted the driver, and fled the area in the vehicle.
At approximately 6:00 p.m., Lakewood Township Police received a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Central Avenue and Carlton Avenue. Responding Officers discovered that a male victim had been struck by a dark colored vehicle. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and has subsequently been released.
At approximately 6:55 p.m., Lakewood Township Police Officers responded to a 911 call in reference to a stabbing in the vicinity of Pine Circle Drive and Lakewood New Egypt Road. The Officers discovered a male victim with a stab wound to his chest. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, treated for his injuries, and subsequently released.
At approximately 8:20 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a 911 call for a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Galassi Court. Responding Officers were able to determine that the male victim had been struck by the same vehicle that was taken in the carjacking incident in Lakewood earlier in the day. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that Marsh was responsible for all of these criminal acts. On April 8, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Manchester Township Police Department arrested Marsh at his residence in Manchester Township without incident. Marsh is lodged in the Ocean County Jail on that date, where he continues to remain pending his detention hearing.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and the Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau conducted further investigation and revealed that Marsh was responsible for additional criminal activity in Lakewood Township on April 8, 2022. Specifically, on April 8, 2022, at approximately 1:10 p.m., in the area of Arlington Avenue and Lincoln Street in Lakewood, a male was traveling northbound on Arlington Avenue operating 2011 Toyota Camry when he was approached by the suspect, who was on foot. The suspect attempted to open the car door – which the victim locked as he watched the suspect approach the vehicle. Upon the suspect attempting to open the door, the victim accelerated the vehicle. The suspect reached through the open window and attempted to hold on to the vehicle while the victim continued to drive – traveling approximately one city block before the suspect let go.
Detectives further determined that on April 8, 2022, at approximately 5:20 p.m., a male pedestrian was crossing Kimball Road at Central Avenue in Lakewood in the southern direction when a dark colored sedan struck him from the right side, causing minor bodily injury. The vehicle then fled the scene.
Additionally, on April 8, 2022, at approximately 5:25 p.m., a 911 call was placed by a male in the area of Carlton Avenue and Central Avenue in Lakewood, reporting that his minor son had been approached by a black Honda Accord occupied by a skinny black male. The caller stated that the black male attempted to physically grab the minor victim and pull him into the vehicle but was unsuccessful.
“Through our ongoing investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department have been able to identify Marsh as the individual responsible for these additional criminal acts; he has been charged accordingly as set forth above,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
“Our thorough and continuing investigation has resulted in the filing of these additional charges of Attempted Murder, Attempted Carjacking, Attempted Kidnapping, and three additional counts of Bias Intimidation. Marsh’s continuing course of conduct is alarming. A thorough review of the totality of the circumstances surrounding his intent, conduct and behavior lead us to the charge of Terrorism. We are prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that Marsh intended to terrorize the Jewish community in Lakewood and Jackson on April 8, 2022,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “This young man will be held accountable for this conduct,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Chief Meyer commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Hatzolah of Central Jersey, and Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Marsh’s swift apprehension and appropriate charges.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).