Authorities – including the New Jersey State Police and United States Coast Guard helicopter units are investigating after  a vehicle became submerged in local waters today, Toms River Police say.

At about 12:15 a.m. today, the Toms River Police Department received a call from a concerned bystander that they observed a small pickup truck drive onto the frozen River at the end of Gladney Avenue. The truck drove out to the center of the river and began doing “donuts”, police say.

Police units responded and also observed the vehicle on the ice. The headlight and brake lights could be seen from the shoreline as the vehicle headed South and West towards the other side of the river, TRPD says.

“After a period of time went by, the lights suddenly were no longer visible. Fearing that the truck broke through the ice, search teams were activated. Firefighters from Toms River and Island Heights began a search along with the New Jersey State Police and United States Coast Guard helicopter units. Personnel wearing “Ice Rescue” suites also conducted a walking search of the frozen river in attempts to locate the trucks location.”

At approximately 10:20 a.m. today, a submerged vehicle was observed approximately 100 feet from shore off of Motor Road in the Pine Beach Police Departments jurisdiction. The US coast Guard and NJ State Police air units are on scene. The State Police are responding with rescue “Fan Boats”.

There were reports that just prior to the vehicle entering the ice a male passenger exited the truck and walked away North on Gladney Avenue. Anyone with information on that man, or the missing truck is urged to contact the Toms River Police Department at 732-349-0150 or the Pine Beach Police Department at 732-349-2010.

UPDATE: NJSP says a boxer mix dog was found in the pickup. Two subjects are in custody.

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