TOMS RIVER – A Township man has admitted to distributing heroin throughout Ocean County and resisting arrest, officials said.
Zachary Lockwood, 25, of Toms River, pled guilty to Possession of One Half Ounce or More of Heroin with Intent to Distribute, being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, and Resisting Arrest in connection with an investigation that occurred between July and August 2023 in Toms River.
Additionally, Lockwood pled guilty to an unrelated charge of Eluding in connection with an incident that occurred on September 26, 2023, also in Toms River.
At the time of his sentencing on April 5, the State will be seeking a term of 10 years in state prison for the narcotics distribution charge, five years in prison – with a five year period of parole eligibility – for the weapon charge, and five years for the eluding charge. Lockwood will receive credit for time already served as to the resisting arrest charge. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Between July and August 2023, authorities had identified Lockwood as a person who was distributing heroin in the Ocean County area.
On August 29, 2023, officers detained Lockwood as he was leaving a local CVS. Detectives searched Lockwood’s car and seized about 215 wax folds of heroin.
Officers attempted to take Lockwood into custody, but he resisted arrest. Lockwood was eventually taken into custody and transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters.
Detectives later searched Lockwood’s home and seized about 2,000 wax folds of heroin and a .40 caliber handgun with ammunition.
Lockwood was transported to the Ocean County Jail, and subsequently released as a consequence of New Jersey Bail Reform.
On September 26, 2023, officers attempted to pull over Lockwood after he ran a red light at the intersection of Fischer Boulevard and Route 37.
Lockwood accelerated the vehicle at a high rate of speed, driving recklessly northbound on Fischer Boulevard, officials said. He continued to speed through residential areas on the east side of Fischer Boulevard and as he attempted to turn back onto Fischer Boulevard, hit a curb and came to rest in the middle of the road.
Lockwood was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been lodged since September 26, 2023.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the efforts of Assistant Prosecutor Stephen Burke who is handling these matters on behalf of the State, and acknowledged the Toms River Township Police Department, Toms River Township Police Department Special Enforcement Team, and Toms River Township Police Department K-9 Unit, for their combined and collaborative assistance in connection with these investigations leading to Lockwood’s guilty pleas, and soon his state prison sentence.
