WHITING – A 58-year-old man was arrested and charged after accidentally shooting himself with a stolen weapon and lying to police, officials said.
Richard Rokicki of Whiting was charged with being a Certain Person Not to Possess a Weapon, Possession of Stolen Property, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, and Hindering his own Apprehension, all in connection with an incident that occurred in Whiting on February 23.
Around 2:40 a.m., police received a report of a man having sustained a gunshot wound at a home in Whiting. Officers found Rokicki with a gunshot wound to his leg and he was transported to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune for treatment.
Rokicki told law enforcement that a friend was visiting his home and he asked the friend if he could hold his firearm. He continued saying he accidently shot himself in the leg, and his friend collected the weapon and left the home. Rokicki then gave police a description of his friend and the type of vehicle he was driving.
Detectives searched the home and seized a handgun that had been reported stolen in North Carolina, as well as a spent shell casing. It was later determined that Rokicki fabricated the story about the friend at his home. According to officials, Rokicki was in possession of the stolen handgun and he had accidently shot himself with the weapon.
After Rokicki was treated for his injuries and released from the hospital, he returned to his home and was taken into custody without incident. Rokicki was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Manchester Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Manchester Township Police Department Patrol Division, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, for their combined and collective efforts in connection with this investigation.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
