MANCHESTER – A Bayville man has admitted to eluding police when officers attempted to pull him over in a drug investigation, officials said.
David Lemmon, 67, pled guilty to Eluding in connection with an incident that occurred November 8, 2023, in Manchester Township. At the time of his sentencing on January 10, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of five years New Jersey State Prison.
On November 8, 2023, detectives saw Lemmon operate a car with John McDaniel, 47, of Toms River, as a passenger. They observed the two travel to the Trenton area before returning to Ocean County.
A Manchester Township marked police unit attempted to pull Lemmon’s vehicle over in the area of Ridgeway Road. However, Lemmon drove away recklessly – speeding and cutting in front of other motorists. As a result, officers terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns, officials said.
A short time later, McDaniel was found walking on Railroad Avenue in Lakehurst by officers and was taken into custody without incident.
McDaniel was charged with Possession of Less than One Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Conspiracy to Possess Less than One Half Ounce of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform. The charges against McDaniel remain pending at this time.
Lemmon was located at a home in Whiting and taken into custody by detectives without incident. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Kaitlyn Burke who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Patrol Division, Borough of Lakehurst Police Department Patrol Division, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Task Force, for their collaborative assistance in connection with this investigation resulting in Lemmon’s guilty plea, and soon his state prison sentence.