MANCHESTER – A Chesterfield (Burlington County) man has been arrested in connection throwing objects at vehicles on Route 539 back in February.
Anthony Lewis, 35, was charged with 31 counts of criminal mischief, 31 counts of interference with transportation, and 31 counts of reckless endangerment of another person.
Between December and March, more than 41 vehicles traveling in Ocean County were struck with objects thrown from a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. Most of the attacks occurred along Route 539 in Plumsted on Feb. 14, when 15 cars sustained damage.
Police reports were filed by victims in Barnegat, Jackson, Lacey, Manchester and Plumsted.
Police were finally able to identify Lewis after a 911 call came in March 7. The caller reported his windshield was struck by an object thrown out of a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on Route 539. The caller was following that vehicle and provided a description, license plate and direction of travel to Manchester Police.
The black 2006 Nissan Altima was registered in Pennsylvania. Lewis was stopped by Manchester Police in Plumsted and was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Jackson Township Municipal Court. He was released on his own recognizance then.
After investigating further, including viewing footage from dash cams, police connected Lewis to 31 incidents of damaging vehicles throughout Ocean County. He was arrested at his residence without incident April 9 and is now in Ocean County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Manchester Police Detective Adam Emmons at 732-657-2009, ext. 4203 or Plumsted Township Detective Anthony Ringle at 609-758-7077, ext. 203.
Anonymous tips can be reported to the Manchester Police Department at manchesterpolicenj.com/investigations-bureau/tip-line/