BERKELEY – A Toms River man, who had been accused of burglarizing several motor vehicles last year, found himself back in jail after allegedly attacking a woman late last month. To add salt to the already growing wound, he’s also accused of trying to assault his arresting officers.
Berkely Township Police said 26-year-old Michael A. Mele assaulted a Berkeley resident in the 900 block of Monmouth Avenue. Police responded to the July 23rd incident in which a woman, who’s identity has not been released, was seriously injured before Mele took off on foot.
Officers found him near Louis Avenue and when taken to the police station, Mele tried to punch and spit on them.
Mele was charged with aggravated assault and throwing bodily fluid at police. He was transferred to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River and held without bail.
In May of 2017, Mele was arrested in Berkeley Township after a series of motor vehicle burglaries that occurred in the Millcreek section of town. Many of the incidents took place overnight. According to police, surveillance video showed Mele taking items from unlocked cars sitting in driveways.
