Divine Grace Jr., age 19, of Manchester Township and Antonio Thomas Jr., age 18, of Toms River Township, were arrested on Saturday, June 30, 2012, following a motor vehicle stop conducted by Officer Wendruff of the Manchester Township Police Department. At approximately 22:30 hours, Officer Wendruff stopped the vehicle operated by Thomas Jr. for minor motor vehicle infractions in the area of State Highway 37 and Bone Hill Road. Officer Wendruff detected an odor of Marijuana emanating from the vehicle during which time Divine Grace Jr., the passenger in the vehicle, was found to be in possession of a .22 caliber handgun. Grace Jr. fled the scene on foot with the concealed gun still in his possession and was subsequently apprehended at his residence in the Summit Park section of Manchester Township. A K-9 track conducted by the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department assisted with the search of Grace Jr. The handgun was recovered during the search for Grace Jr. along with .22 caliber ammunition that was later located in the vehicle. Alcohol and less than fifty grams of marijuana were also recovered from the vehicle. Thomas was charged with one count of Possession of an Alcoholic Beverage by a Minor and released on a summons. Grace Jr. was charged with one count Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, one count Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, one count Eluding, one count Hindering Apprehension, and one count Possession of Marijuana Under 50 Grams. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail en lieu of 75,000.00 bail, no ten percent option.
