Manchester Man Indicted for Lakewood Terror Attack: Charges Include Terrorism, Attempted Murder, Attempted Kidnapping, Carjacking, and Bias Intimidation

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced today that on June 29, 2022, Dion Marsh, 27, of Manchester Township, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Terrorism in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:38-2a; two counts of Carjacking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2; seven counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(1); seven counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(2); four counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3(a)(1) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1; Attempted Kidnapping in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1b(2) and N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1; five counts of Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; and five counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d.

Additionally, Michelle Strachan, 28, of Jackson, was indicted by the same Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(7); and Hindering Apprehension, in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(5).

On April 8, 2022, at approximately 1:10 p.m., in the area of Arlington Avenue and Lincoln Street in Lakewood, a male was traveling northbound on Arlington Avenue operating 2011 Toyota Camry when he was approached by the suspect, who was on foot. The suspect attempted to open the car door – which the victim locked as he watched the suspect approach the vehicle. Upon the suspect attempting to open the door, the victim accelerated the vehicle. The suspect reached through the open window and attempted to hold on to the vehicle while the victim continued to drive – traveling approximately one city block before the suspect let go.

At approximately 1:15 p.m., Officers from the Lakewood Township Police Department were summoned to the area of Martin Luther King Drive and Pine Street for a report of carjacking. Responding Officers determined that a male suspect approached a 2016 Toyota Camry, assaulted the driver, and fled the area in the vehicle.

At approximately 5:20 p.m., a male pedestrian was crossing Kimball Road at Central Avenue in Lakewood in the southern direction when a dark colored sedan struck him from the right side, causing minor bodily injury. The vehicle then fled the scene.

At approximately 5:25 p.m., a 911 call was placed by a male in the area of Carlton Avenue and Central Avenue in Lakewood, reporting that his minor son had been approached by a black Honda Accord occupied by a skinny black male. The caller stated that the black male attempted to physically grab the minor victim and pull him into the vehicle but was unsuccessful.

At approximately 6:00 p.m., Lakewood Township Police received a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Central Avenue and Carlton Avenue. Responding Officers discovered that a male victim had been struck by a dark colored vehicle. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was treated for his injuries and released.

At approximately 6:55 p.m., Lakewood Township Police Officers responded to a 911 call in reference to a stabbing in the vicinity of Pine Circle Drive and Lakewood New Egypt Road. The Officers discovered a male victim with a stab wound to his chest. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he where he was treated for his injuries and released.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., Officers from the Jackson Township Police Department responded to a 911 call for a report of a pedestrian being struck by a motor vehicle in the area of Galassi Court. Responding Officers were able to determine that the male victim had been struck by the same vehicle that was taken in the carjacking incident in Lakewood earlier in the day. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he was treated and released to a rehabilitation facility.

An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department revealed that Marsh was responsible for all of these criminal acts. On April 8, 2022, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Manchester Township Police Department arrested Marsh at his residence in Manchester Township without incident. Marsh has been lodged in the Ocean County Jail since the date of his arrest.

On April 8, 2022, Marsh was charged with three counts of Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:11-3a(1); Carjacking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2a(1); Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-4d; Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:39-5d; and three counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(1).

On April 8, 2022, Detectives conducted an interview with Michelle Strachan and determined that Strachan provided conflicting information. Strachan was subsequently charged Hindering Apprehension in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:29-3b(7).

On April 13, 2022, Marsh was charged additionally with; Attempted Murder in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and 2C:11-3a; Attempted Carjacking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:15-2a(1); Attempted Kidnapping in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:5-1 and N.J.S.A. 2C:13-1a; and three counts of Bias Intimidation in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:16-1a(1).

Additionally, pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2C:38-2, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer sought approval from Acting New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin to charge Marsh with Terrorism. Accordingly, Marsh was charged on April 14, 2022 with Terrorism, a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:38-2.

“A thorough review of the totality of the circumstances surrounding this defendant’s intent, conduct and behavior lead us to the charge of Terrorism. We are prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that Marsh intended to terrorize the Jewish community in Lakewood and Jackson Township(s) on April 8, 2022,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated. “This indictment is just the next step in bringing this young man to justice,” Prosecutor Billhimer concluded.

Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Chief Trial Attorney Michael Weatherstone, who presented the case to the Grand Jury on behalf of the State, as well as the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, and New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Marsh’s apprehension and indictment.

{Matzav.com}