Police Blotter: Pair Charged in Lakehurst Hammer Attack

An adult and teen were arrested and charged by Wednesday for their roles in an assault with a hammer at a borough residence.

Sergeants Ronald Heinzman and Brian Baranyay, along with Officer Robert Seiden, responded to a Chestnut Street home at about 5:55 p.m. after receiving a report that a person was assaulted with a hammer, said Chief of Police Eric Higgins. 

"Upon arrival to the area, two suspects from the incident were walking east on Chestnut Street near Rose Street," Higgins said in a statement. "Both were pointed out to Sgt. Baranyay and Sgt. Heinzman by the victim who was bleeding from his left hand."

The victim, who was not named by police, was treated for injuries at the scene by Lakehurst First Aid squad members, according to the chief.

The suspects, a 16-year-old juvenile from Jackson and 18-year-old borough resident Richard Kopec Jr., were located and taken into custody by police.

The juvenile was found "concealing a hammer under his waistband along with a switchblade knife," Higgins said.

Police charged Kopec with aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and harassment, Higgins said. Police also allege that Kopec damaged the front door of the Chestnut Street home with the hammer.

The teen was charged with two counts of possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, possession of a prohibited weapon for carrying the switchblade knife, and resisting arrest, Higgins said. He was released to his mother pending Family Court.

Kopec was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River after Lakehurst Municipal Court Judge Damian Murray set his bail at $25,000. 

Kopec has had encounters with law enforcement before. with four counts of theft and one count of criminal mischief for stealing items from cars between Oct. 30, 2011, and Jan. 12, 2012, police alleged. In March, after allegedly soliciting an adult to purchase alcohol.