Brick Man Pointed Weapon at Officers During CVS Burglary, Indictment States

A Brick resident and former state corrections officer who was shot by a township police officer last year is facing gun charges after he threatened the officer with a handgun during an attempted burglary, an indictment handed up by Ocean County grand jurors states.

Ralph Stoia III of Pacific Ocean Drive was indicted last week on multiple charges in connection with an April 17, 2010, incident at the at 989 Burnt Tavern Road.

Stoia entered the CVS that morning with the intention of committing a robbery, the indictment states. He was carrying a handgun and possessed hollow nose point bullets, authorities charge.

When confronted by police, Stoia threatened "immediate bodily injury" to Brick Officer Joshua Jenssen by pointing his handgun in the officer's direction, the indictment states. Stoia also tried to prevent his arrest by threatening Officer Scott Dierking and Sgt. Vincent Coburn, the indictment states.

According to a report in the Star-Ledger from the time, Jenssen shot Stoia twice after Stoia ignored commands to drop the gun and then pointed it at the officer.

Stoia was charged with third-degree resisting arrest, fourth-degree possession of hollow nose point bullets, fourth-degree aggravated assault, second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, second-degree burglary and first-degree robbery.

Stoia posted $200,000 bail on April 29, 2010.

However, Stoia will face additional charges in connection with an incident at the Silverton Pharmacy at 1824 Hooper Ave. in Toms River.

The Brick man was indicted last week after grand jurors found sufficient evidence to uphold charges alleging Stoia stole oxycodone and roxycode pills Feb. 11, 2010, from the pharmacy. 

He was charged with burglary and theft, both in the third degree, and initially release on his own recognizance.

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Also indicted by grand jurors:

• Michael Masi of Bradley Beach for allegedly using fraudulent means to withdraw money from someone else's account on two occasions in February.

Masi forged withdrawal slips in order to gain funds on Feb. 20 and 21, the indictment states.

The Bradley Beach man was charged with fourth-degree theft by deception and two counts of uttering a forged instrument, fourth degree. 

• Rogerio S. Pereira of Murray Lane for allegedly having heroin and interfering with a police investigation by tampering with evidence.

Pereira was arrested on May 22 and charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, third degree, and tampering with physical evidence, fourth degree.

He was released on a summons.