FREEHOLD – As authorities continue to investigate the cause of a fire at an Ocean Township residence that occurred last week, they are asking for the public’s help in locating a missing resident from the home, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
On Thursday morning, Sept. 12, police and fire responded to 86 Wickapecko Drive in Ocean Township for reports of a fire. Once on the scene, police observed that the approximately 6,000 sq. ft. home was completely engulfed in flames.
Police quickly determined that two residents of the home were unaccounted for. The two missing individuals were identified as 49-year old Ronald Teschner and 65-year old Jacquelin Terrulli.
Teschner was located the next day, Sept. 13, in Paterson. He was found in possession of Jacquelin Terrulli’s 2019 Jeep Cherokee with shotguns inside. Police seized the vehicle, which remains in the custody of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Teschner was charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, two counts of Certain Persons Not to Possess Weapons and three counts of Receiving Stolen Property. He was lodged in Monmouth County Correctional Institution and is pending a detention hearing.
Although police quickly tracked down Teschner, Terrulli has yet to be located. The investigation into her whereabouts is active and ongoing.
Police ask anyone who may have seen Terrulli between Wednesday, September 11, 2019 and the present and/or may have information to assist in the investigation to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Patrick Petruzziello at 800-533-7443, or Ocean Township Police Detective Christopher Brady at 732-531-1800.
Anyone who had contact with Teschner after the time of the fire, but prior to his arrest are also urged to contact Detective Petruzziello and/or Detective Brady.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Wayne Raynor of the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office at 1-800-533-7443, or Detective Darius Davis of the Asbury Park Police Department at 732-774-1300. Anonymous information about a crime can be provided to the Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.
The fire remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Fire Marshal’s Office and Ocean Township Police Department.
