Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 12, 2024, Zachary Lockwood, 25, of Toms River, pled guilty to Possession of One Half Ounce or More of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest, before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with an investigation that occurred between July and August 2023 in Toms River. Additionally, Lockwood pled guilty to an unrelated charge of Eluding in connection with an incident that occurred on September 26, 2023, also in Toms River. At the time of his sentencing on April 5, 2024, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years New Jersey State Prison (NJSP) as to the narcotics distribution charge, five years NJSP – with a five year period of parole eligibility – as to the weapon charge, and five years NJSP as to the eluding charge. Lockwood will receive credit for time already served as to the resisting arrest charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
An investigation by the Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team (TRPD SET) between July and August 2023 identified Lockwood as a person who was distributing heroin in the Ocean County area. On August 29, 2023, Detectives applied for and were granted court-authorized search warrants for Lockwood’s residence and motor vehicle. On that date, Officers from TRPD SET observed Lockwood leave his residence and enter his motor vehicle. Lockwood then drove to a nearby CVS on Hooper Avenue in Toms River. Lockwood exited the vehicle and entered the CVS. As Lockwood was leaving the store, he was approached by the Officers and detained as they executed the search warrant on his vehicle. As a result, Officers seized approximately 215 wax folds of Heroin. As Officers attempted to take Lockwood into custody, he resisted arrest. Lockwood was eventually taken into custody and transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters. Subsequently, Officers from TRPD SET and Toms River Police Department K-9 Unit executed the search warrant on Lockwood’s residence. As a result of that search, Officers seized approximately 2,000 wax folds of Heroin and a .40 caliber handgun with ammunition. Lockwood was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On September 26, 2023, Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department attempted to effectuate a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle operated by Lockwood after he ran through a red traffic signal at the intersection of Fischer Boulevard and Route 37. As Officers attempted to bring the vehicle to a stop, Lockwood accelerated the vehicle at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly northbound on Fischer Boulevard. The vehicle continued to travel at a high rate of speed through residential areas on the east side of Fischer Boulevard. As the vehicle attempted to turn back onto Fischer Boulevard, it hit a curb and came to rest in the middle of the road. Officers approached the vehicle and found Lockwood behind the wheel. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since September 26, 2023.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the diligent efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling these matters on behalf of the State, and acknowledges the Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, and Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, for their combined and collaborative assistance in connection with these investigations leading to Lockwood’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.