Crime & Safety

Police: Man Found With 49 Bags of Heroin After Route 70 Crash

Heroin found after Lakehurst police responded to crash scene Friday morning

A Toms River man faces numerous drug charges after Lakehurst police allege that he was in possession of 49 bags of heroin which he planned to distribute.

Borough police made the discovery after they responded to an accident on Route 70 just east of Route 547 at about 7:30 a.m. Friday morning, said Chief of Police Eric Higgins. The suspect, 26-year-old William Lamereaux of Toms River, was driving a 2004 Mazda when he struck a 1995 Ford pickup truck driven by Felix Velez, also of Toms River.

"Both vehicles had extensive damage and Route 70 east was shut down for approximately 45 minutes while the accident scene was cleaned up," Higgins said in an email. 

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While investigating the scene, Sgt. Ronald Heinzman charged Lamereaux with possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of controlled dangerous substances in a motor vehicle, driving with a suspended license and careless driving, according to Higgins. 

Lamereaux was processed at headquarters and was housed in the Ocean County Jail on $25,000 bail with no 10 percent option set by Judge Damian Murray, Higgins said. 

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officers Jeffrey Johnson and Raymond Voesseller assisted with the investigation, Higgins said. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.