Brick Police Raid Motel, Arrest Four on Drug Charges

Brick Police raided a Mantoloking Road motel Tuesday night and found nearly 30 bags of heroin, a loaded weapon and illicit ammunition, resulting in four arrests of township residents.

The raid, which occurred at 10:17 p.m. at the Lenape Motel, was the result of a month-long investigation into heroin distribution, according to Capt. John Rein. A search warrant entitled members of the police department's Drug Enforcement Unit and Special Emergency Response Team to search two rooms at the motel, Rein said.

Upon entering the first room, police found Travis E. Boyles, 27, Cassandra L. Schurich, 26, and Pamela Strickland, 20, as well as three bags of heroin and a small amount of marijuana. Also in the room was the 2-year-old child of Boyles and Schurich, who was eventually turned over to the state Division of Youth and Family Services.

The second room yielded more drugs and the weapon, as well as an additional suspect, Rein said. Tyrone D. Stafford, 32, was found in the room along with 25 bags of heroin, $220 in cash and a JP Sauer 32 caliber semi-automatic handgun which was loaded with hollow nose bullets. Police would also find 17 additional hollow nose bullets, a small quantity of marijuana and scales during the search of the room, Rein said.

Stafford faces a slew of charges, including: possession of a handgun; possession of a firearm for unlawful purpose; a certain person not to have a weapon violation; possession of a weapon while committing a drug offense; possession of hollow nose bullets; manufacturing, dispensing or distributing heroin; possession of heroin; possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Stickland faces charges of: manufacturing, dispensing or distributing heroin; possession of heroin; possession of drug paraphernalia; and possession of 50 grams or less of marijuana.

Boyles and Schurich were each charged with possession of heroin, possession of a hypodermic needle and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Brick Municipal Court Judge Robert Lepore set bail on Stafford at $100,000 with no 10 percent option. Stafford was remanded to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of bail.

Boyles, Schurich and Strickland were each processed and released on summonses.