The report of a suspicious vehicle in the 2000 block of Larchmont Street leads to the arrest of three individuals, including a South Carolina male, and the seizure of what it being identified as a “rolling methamphetamine lab.” The three individuals inside of the van where charged with a host of drug related offenses and lodged in Ocean County Jail.
On September 12, 2016, at approximately 3:38 p.m., patrol officers from the Manchester Township Police responded to the report of a suspicious white van which was parked in a wooded area near the 2000 block of Larchmont Street in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township. The vehicle in question was located by Patrolman Juralewicz a short distance away on the 600 block of Middlesex Street and subsequently stopped. Shortly thereafter, it was learned that the vehicle was displaying license plates that had been reported stolen in Berkeley County, South Carolina.
During the course of the investigation, officers located several items within the van that were consistent with the manufacturing of crystal methamphetamine, a highly addictive drug which creates a devastating dependence that can only be relieved by taking more of it. Due to the potential volatility of some of the components involved in the manufacturing process of crystal meth, the items of concern were removed from the vehicle and placed a safe distance away. The New Jersey State Police Hazardous Materials Response Unit, the Berkeley Township HazMat Team, and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Arson Unit where contacted and responded to the scene to assist with the identification of the materials and to render them safe. As a precaution, one residence was evacuated until the scene was deemed safe and Middlesex Street was closed between Sixth and Seventh Avenue for approximately five hours. Once the van and its contents were rendered safe, it was seized for further investigation.
The operator of the vehicle, 30 year old, Demetrius Kiprakis, from Goose Creek, South Carolina was charged with 1st degree Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, and Possession of Stolen Property. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail in default of $410,000.00 bail. The male occupant of the vehicle, 29 year old, Bryan Sahlin of Middlesex Street was charged with 1st degree Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe. He was also lodged at the Ocean County Jail in default of $410,000.00 bail. An additional occupant of the vehicle, 57 year old Roseanna Fox of Toms River, was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Distribution/Manufacturing of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe. She was lodged at the Ocean County Jail in default of $85,000.00 bail.
Also assisting at the scene were investigators from the Manchester Township Police Investigations Bureau and Narcotics Enforcement Team as well as detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit. Emergency services personnel from the Ridgeway and Manchester Volunteer Fire Departments also responded and assisted at the scene as did squad members Quality Medical Transport.
Residents are reminded that tips and information can be reported to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking on the “Tip Line” link.