Prosecutor: Alleged Bias Incident Under Investigation

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, in conjunction with several other law enforcement agencies, is investigating a possible bias-motivated incident that occurred on Saturday, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Sunday.

On Saturday, Jan.28, Asbury Park police were advised of an alleged bias incident at the Trinity Episcopal Church on Asbury Avenue that reportedly occurred sometime between 9 and 10:30 p.m. on Friday night during an anti-racism event. Specifics on the incident were not disclosed.

The Asbury Park Police Department launched an investigation. Due to the nature of the undisclosed specific allegations, Asbury Park police notified the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

At this time, there are no known or confirmed resulting injuries to any civilians involved or within proximity.

“The Asbury Park Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office take any allegation of bias extremely seriously and, as a result, will be working in conjunction with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, under the direction of Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, and the New Jersey State Police, under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, to investigate this matter. Prosecutor Santiago wished to remind the public that any act of bias, perceived or otherwise, towards a race and or religious group, will not be tolerated in our local communities.”
Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ~ released statement

NJ State Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin also weighed in on the incident:

“We are also aware of the attack on members of a church in Monmouth County that occurred on Saturday — another incident being pursued as potentially bias-motivated. Collaboration across multiple agencies is occurring in that ongoing investigation as well.

“We are cognizant of the fact that these attacks have occurred while violence continues to erupt in Israel, and while our own nation reckons with violence at home. I want to reassure all New Jerseyans — especially our friends and neighbors of the Black community and the Jewish faith — that law enforcement continues to take the appropriate steps to increase our presence around sensitive places so that everyone in our state can worship, love, and live without fear of violence or threat.”

The investigation is ongoing. If anyone has any information on Friday night’s incident, they are urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Brian Hammarstrom at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Anthony Troublefield at 732-774-1300. Detective Sergeant Brian Christensen and Detective Samer Abboud from the Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Justice, are also assisting with the investigation.

Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about this or any crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android — https://www.p3tips.com/1182), by calling 800-671-4400, or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office