Suspect in Cop Death Charged With Murder

Police have filed murder and weapons charges against the suspect in the Friday shooting death of a Lakewood police officer.

Jahmell Crockam, 19, is accused of killing Chris Matlosz, a 27-year-old Lakewood police officer from Manchester who was a Howell High School alumnus, authorities said.

The charges were announced at a Saturday afternoon press conference in Lakewood by Ocean County prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford.

The charges were filed after a police investigation established probable cause, Ford said. Bail will be set at $5 million cash.

Crockham goes by the street name of "Sav," short for savage, Ford said. He's considered dangerous and should not be approached.

"What was a routine stop suddenly turned deadly," she said. "That represents the danger he presents to the public. He is not disinclined to use that fatal, lethal weapon."

Ford said that a prior warrant for Crockham's arrest was issued on Dec. 29 for illegal possession of a rifle and hollow point bullets. Bail for that warrant was set at $150,000, but Crockham was never arrested.

A photo of the suspect, one which had already began circulating the Internet last night, was also released by officials. 

Helicopters armed with spotlights have been flying over wooded areas in northwestern Brick Township, and the Ramtown section of Howell, as police search for Crockam.

Matlosz was pronounced dead at Jersey Shore Medical Center shortly before 5 p.m., said Ford.

Matlosz's fiance was at the hospital when he died, Ford said. He is survived by his brother and mother.

The state Policeman's Benevolent Association has increased its reward offer to $117,000 for any information that leads to Crockam's arrest. The reward money grew thanks to additional contributions from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, Ford said.

The suspect was described as a black male in his early 20s or late teens, about 5 foot 6 to 7 inches tall. He had a stocky build, Ford said, and was wearing a black "hoodie." He had puffy cheeks and sunken eyes, Ford said.

A witness also said he was wearing black baggy jeans and gray boxer shorts that were exposed.

"Our hearts go out to the Lakewood Police Department and his family," Ford told reporters at a press conference at police headquarters.

The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, U.S. Marshals, New Jersey State Police and various departments from Monmouth and Ocean County are aiding in the investigation, said Mike Mohel, public information officer for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office.

Matlosz was a member of the Lakewood Police department since 2006, according to Ford. He was formerly a police officer in Englishtown, and was a special officer in Long Branch, Manasquan and Freehold.

He graduated from Howell High School in 2001 and received his associates degree from Brookdale in 2004.

The shooting occurred during a stop that became "hostile" on August Drive in Lakewood, Ford said.

Matlosz, 27, of the Pine Lake Park section of Manchester, was on a routine patrol and in his police vehicle when the suspect then took a step back, pulled a gun and shot Matlosz three times at close range in the head, Ford said.

“This is a particularly heinous, execution-style shooting,” Ford said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lakewood Police Department at 732-363-0200 or the Ocean County Prosecutors Office at 732-929-2027, or dial 911.