The Brick police department announced that two separate incidents in recent days led its officers to the discovery and seizure of firearms.
This Wednesday at approximately 12 pm, police responded to Old Toms River Rd. for a residential burglary. The homeowner reported observing someone breaking into his home on his surveillance system. As officers were responding to the scene, an off-duty police officer reported finding a handgun on a nearby street. It was later determined the found handgun was stolen from the home and later discarded by the suspect.
A description of the suspect was provided by the homeowner and Det. Talty, who was responding to the scene, located and arrested the suspect Steven Borriello, 35 years of age from Toms River. Steven was charged with Burglary, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Theft and Criminal Mischief. Steven was transported to Ocean County Jail.
Also on Wednesday, at 6:26 p.m., Brick Police received a call from a resident who observed a Black Honda drive past them with the driver and passenger both wearing ski masks.
Due to the recent spike in burglaries, the resident thought it was suspicious and reported it to police. Moments later, this vehicle was observed traveling on Mantoloking Rd. by Ptl. McGrath. Ptl. McGrath, Ptl. Marmer and Ptl. Wehrlen conducted a high-risk motor vehicle stop in the area of Chambers Bridge Rd. near Kohl’s Plaza. Ptl. McGrath observed the passenger of the vehicle reaching down toward the floor board of the vehicle. Both occupants were ordered out of the vehicle and detained by officers.
Ptl. Lapoint and his partner, K9 Rebel, responded to the scene. K9 Rebel indicated a positive hit on the vehicle. A handgun was recovered inside as well as a high capacity magazine.
The driver of the vehicle was identified as Ectgar Candia Paz, 18 years old from Somerset, NJ. Ectgar was arrested and charged with possession of a defaced weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a high capacity magazine and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose. Ectgar was transported to Ocean County Jail.
The passenger of the vehicle was a juvenile, who was charged with juvenile delinquency and sent to the Juvenile Detention Center in Toms River.