Crime, Regional Interest

Prosecutor: Area Man Charged with Crimes Stemming From False Home Ownership Claims

An area man is facing a string of criminal charges for allegedly falsely claiming to be the rightful owner of two vacant homes he was found living in during recent months, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Thursday.

Markies L. Wells, a.k.a. Messiah Law-Elbey, 39, with a last legitimate known address in Neptune Township, stemming from the alleged crime, has been charged with: second-degree armed burglary, second-degree attempted theft, second-degree theft, third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree resisting arrest, third-degree threatening to kill members of law enforcement, fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records, fourth-degree obstruction of justice, fourth-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree theft of utility services, fourth-degree trespassing, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.

The case background …

In March 2024, an investigation by Keansburg police revealed that Wells had climbed through a rear window of an abandoned home on Pine View Avenue and changed the locks on the front and rear doors, after which he was initially arrested and charged.

Then, in July 2024, an investigation Holmdel police revealed that Wells had done the same thing with a foreclosed home on Middletown Road. Afterwards, he took up residence in the property, using utilities that had not been turned off and allowing his three pet dogs to allegedly cause extensive damage to portions of the home’s interior.

Wells was found to be in possession of a knife at the time of his arrest, when he also threatened to kill the arresting officers.

A Monmouth County Superior Court Judge subsequently granted the State’s motion to keep him incarcerated at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) while the criminal cases against him proceeded.

Last week, further investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office Holmdel and Keansburg police resulted in Wells also being charged with filing falsified documents with the Monmouth County Clerk’s Office, through which he claimed to be the rightful owner of both the Holmdel and Keansburg homes.

Anyone with further information about the activities of this defendant is asked to contact MCPO Detective Michael Acquaviva at 800-533-7443.

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