Five guns were recently taken off the streets of Lakewood, the Lakewood Police Department said.
On August 6, Detectives from the Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit simultaneously executed two court ordered search warrants at a Coventry Drive home as well as a home on Paris Court. The warrant was the result of several month narcotics investigation conducted with the assistance of the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Narcotics Strike Force. During the search a quantity of illegal narcotics and three handguns were discovered.
33 year old Tony Olden of Barnegat was arrested and charged with the following crimes.
Maintaining a CDS Production Facility, Possession of CDS, Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearm During a CDS
Offense, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Possession of Prohibited Ammunition and Distribution of CDS within 500 feet of Public Playground.
In addition, 32 year old Shawn Craighead of Lakewood was charged with the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Certain Persons not to Possess a Firearm, and Possession of Marijuana Under 50 grams.
Both Olden and Craighead were transported to Ocean County Jail pending court proceedings.
On August 11, Detectives from the Lakewood Police Department Street Crimes Unit approached an individual who they believed was acting suspicious near the Pinewood Apartment complex off Kennedy Blvd. While speaking with the man, identified as 18 year Razuan Russell of Jackson, the Detectives developed enough information to employ the use of a K9 trained in the detection of narcotics. After receiving a positive alert for the presence of contraband in a bag possessed by Russell, a search was conducted resulting in the discovery of approximately 100 grams of marijuana and a loaded 45 caliber handgun.
As a result, Razuan Russell was arrested and charged with the possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a firearm during a cds offense. possession of cds with the intent to distribute and possession of cds. He was later transport to the Ocean County Jail.
On August 12, Officers Joseph Przewoznik and Anthony Caraballo were flagged down by a concerned citizen near the NJ Transit Bus Terminal in reference to a man that they felt was acting suspiciously. Based on the information, the Officers, who were assigned to the Bike Patrol Unit, established surveillance of the suspicious male. Based on their experience the believed that the man, identified as 46 year old Brando Tucker of Lakewood, was engaging in the distribution of narcotics in the area of Madison Avenue and First Street from his vehicle.
Further information was developed which enabled them to employ a K9 trained in the detection of illegal narcotics. After receiving a positive alert for the presence of contraband a search of the vehicle was conducted and resulted in the discovery of heroin and a shotgun.
As result, Brando Tucker was arrested and charged with the possession of cds, the possession of cds with the intent to distribute, distribution of cds in a school zone and several weapon offenses.