Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 6, 2022, David Giordano, 36, of Toms River, was charged with False Public Alarm in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-3a(1)(b), in connection with an incident that occurred during the evening hours of Saturday, February 5, 2022, in Toms River Township.
On February 5, 2022, at approximately 9:00 p.m., Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department were dispatched to the area of Hooper Avenue and Washington Street for a report of a suspicious item in the roadway. Responding Officers observed a car battery with a power inverter attached to it. A strand of blue LED holiday lights was plugged into the power inverter and the other end of the lights was attached to a Clorox bleach bottle containing liquid. The device was set up in the center of Hooper Avenue between the Ocean County Courthouse and the Ocean County Administration Building. Out of concern that the device might be explosive in nature, the area between Hooper Avenue, Madison Avenue, and Washington Street was shut down to traffic. A subsequent investigation by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, and Berkeley Township Hazardous Materials Unit, was able to determine that the device in the roadway was not an improvised explosive device. Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and Toms River Township Police Department revealed that Giordano was responsible for placing the device in the roadway.
On February 6, 2022, a warrant was issued for Giordano’s arrest for causing false public alarm. On February 7, 2022, Giordano was involved in a motor vehicle accident on the Garden State Parkway near Bloomfield, NJ. He was taken to a medical facility in Belleville, NJ, and treated for his injuries. Prior to his release from the hospital, Giordano was taken into custody by Officers from the Toms River Township Police Department. Giordano was searched incident to his arrest, and Officers discovered him to be in possession of alprazolam, methamphetamine, and drug paraphernalia. As such, Giordano was additionally charged with Possession of Alprazolam in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), Possession of Methamphetamine in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:35-10a(1), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:36-2a. Giordano is presently lodged in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad, Toms River Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Field Services Unit/Warrants, New Jersey State Police Bomb Unit, and Berkeley Township Hazardous Materials Unit, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Giordano’s apprehension.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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