Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 18, 2025, Massinissa Ladj, 18, of Jackson, was charged with Sexual Assault, three counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child and four counts of Lewdness in connection with incidents that occurred on January 21, 2025, January 23, 2025, February 5, 2025 and February 11, 2025 – all in Lakewood.
On January 24, 2025, the Lakewood Township Police received a report that on January 23, 2025, a male wearing a ski mask and driving a black vehicle motioned to a 16 year-old girl who was walking down East 5th Avenue to approach his vehicle. As the girl approached the vehicle, the male made certain motions (moderated) before driving off. Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Police Department discovered that a similar incident had occurred on January 21, 2025. In this instance as a 12 year-old female was walking on East 5th Avenue, a male wearing a black surgical mask and driving a black vehicle called out to her. When the girl approached the vehicle the male was performing lewd acts. The vehicle then sped away.
On February 11, 2025, Lakewood Police were again contacted when a woman walking with her baby on North Lake Drive reported that a male, driving a black vehicle, pulled over and asked for directions. When the woman approached the car, the male was actively performing lewd acts. The vehicle again left the area. While investigating this incident, law enforcement discovered that on February 5, 2025, a male matching the description of the suspect in the earlier incidents, called a 14 year-old female over to his vehicle, when the girl approached the vehicle the male was actively performing lewd acts. Law enforcement was able to obtain a description of the suspect vehicle.
Further investigation was able to determine that Ladj was responsible for all four incidents. On February 18, 2025, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant on Ladj’s person and vehicle. As Ladj was leaving his residence in Jackson Township, Jackson Township Police effectuated a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Ladj. Ladj was taken into custody without incident. Ladj was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for their combined and collective assistance in this investigation.
Please!! Remind your children not to approach strangers!!
It’s a potential pakuach nefesh too, pepper spray is worth carrying, they’re under $20 per can (never use it unless you have to, if you do ever use it, replace it)
We need to stop the hitchhiking before we have an incident. RL
Hitch hiking is actually illegal in NJ, it is something that needs to end in Lakewood it’s not a safe activity.
Girls dont hitchhike.
Bring back the gallows for this sort of thing
Stress as strongly and vividly as you can to your children to NEVER EVER APPROACH AN UNKNOWN VEHICLE!!!! Be explicit, use hard words. Protect them because it’s terrible what can happen!
Please continue to remind your children…boys and girls…NEVER TO APPROACH A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT KNOWN TO THEM. Even if someone appears to be dressed like someone from your community your children must be told how to stay safe. This is not a safe world…even in a religious community.