LAKEWOOD – A Manchester man who was recently arrested for committing a string of crimes is now facing additional charges, officials said.
Dion Marsh, 27, of Manchester Township, was charged additionally with Attempted Murder, Attempted Carjacking, Attempted Kidnapping and three counts of Bias Intimidation in connection to events that occurred in Lakewood Township and Jackson Township on April 8. In addition, Marsh was charged with Terrorism on April 14.
The series of events started around 1:15 p.m. when the Lakewood Township Police Department received a report of a carjacking in the area of Martin Luther King Drive and Pine Street. A male suspect had approached a 2016 Toyota Camry, assaulted the driver and fled the area in the car
Around 6 p.m., Lakewood Police received a report of a pedestrian being hit by a car near Central Avenue and Carlton Avenue. Officers found an injured man who was hit by a dark colored car. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he is listed in stable condition.
About an hour later, Lakewood Police received a 911 call about a stabbing near Pine Circle Drive and Lakewood New Egypt Road. Police found a man with stab wounds in his chest, and was quickly transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
At 8:20 p.m., the Jackson Township Police Department received a 911 call regarding a pedestrian struck by a car in the area of Galassi Court. At the scene, officers determined that the victim was hit by the same car that was taken in the carjacking incident in Lakewood earlier that day. The victim was brought to Jersey Shore University Medical Center where he is listed in critical but stable condition.
Investigation revealed that Marsh was responsible for all of these criminal acts. On April 8, detectives arrested Marsh at his home in Manchester Township without incident.
Further investigation revealed that Marsh was responsible for more criminal activity in Lakewood Township on that day:
Around 1:10 p.m. near Arlington Avenue and Lincoln Street in Lakewood, Marsh approached a driver in a 2011 Toyota Camry and attempted to enter it. The victim locked the doors as he watched Marsh approach the car.
As Marsh tried to open the door, the victim accelerated. Marsh reached through the open window and attempted to hold on while the victim continued to drive. They traveled about one city block before Marsh let go, police said.
At 5:20 p.m., a male pedestrian was crossing Kimball Road at Central Avenue in Lakewood when a dark colored sedan hit him from the right side, causing minor bodily injury. The car then quickly fled the scene, police said.
A 911 call was placed around 5:25 p.m. by a man reporting that his minor son had been approached by a black Honda Accord occupied by a skinny black male in the area of Carlton Avenue and Central Avenue in Lakewood. The caller told police that the suspect attempted to physically grab the minor and pull him into the car, but was unsuccessful.
“Through our ongoing investigation, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit and Lakewood Township Police Department have been able to identify Marsh as the individual responsible for these additional criminal acts; he has been charged accordingly,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated. “Our thorough and continuing investigation has resulted in the filing of these additional charges of Attempted Murder, Attempted Carjacking, Attempted Kidnapping, and three additional counts of Bias Intimidation. Marsh’s continuing course of conduct is alarming. A thorough review of the totality of the circumstances surrounding his intent, conduct and behavior lead us to the charge of Terrorism. We are prepared to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that Marsh intended to terrorize the Jewish community in Lakewood and Jackson on April 8. This young man will be held accountable for this conduct.”
Billhimer and Lakewood Township Police Chief Gregory Meyer commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department, Lakewood Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Jackson Township Police Department, Manchester Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Marshals Service, New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness, Hatzolah of Central Jersey, and Lakewood Civilian Safety Watch, for their collective efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Marsh’s swift apprehension and appropriate charges.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
