Crime & Safety

Lacey Police Arrest Waretown Man For Drunk Driving, Possession Of Heroin


A Waretown man found slumped over the steering wheel of his car on Halloween in Lacey Township is lodged in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $75,000 bail, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Special officer Jesse Urban was patrolling the Wawa on Lacey Road when he saw Joel L. Cotto, 33, in the car. When Patrolman Michael Eden arrived to assist, the officers found bundled packets of heroin in the car and arrested Cotto,the chief said.

Cotto was charged with drunken driving, possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia, Paprota said.

He was taken to police headquarters, where he was also charged with reckless driving and possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, police said.

Cotto's vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.


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