Dion Marsh of Manchester is charged with attempted murder, carjacking and bias intimidation; 3 people were hospitalized, authorities said.
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TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Manchester Township man has been charged with attempted murder and bias intimidation in a string of attacks in Lakewood and Jackson on Friday that left three Orthodox Jewish men hospitalized, authorities announced Saturday.
Two of the three men were in critical condition, authorities said. One man was stabbed, and two were hit by a car, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Bilginer and Lakewood Police Chief Gregory Meyer said.
The prosecutor's office on Sunday confirmed the three victims were Orthodox Jewish men.
Billhimer and Meyer said the investigation, which included assistance from the FBI and the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security, tied all three attacks to Dion Marsh, 27, of Manchester, who was arrested Friday night at his home.
Marsh is charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of bias intimidation,carjacking, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and unlawful possession of a weapon, authorities said. He is being held in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a detention hearing.
The prosecutor's office did not give details on the basis for the bias intimidation charges.
The Anti-Defamation League and Gov. Phil Murphy released statements Saturday evening, praising law enforcement for the quick arrest and decrying the attacks.
"The safety of our communities, and notably our communities of faith, is not only a paramount concern but among my highest priorities," Murphy said. "We will continue to partner with all who share this commitment so no resident ever needs to live in fear."
"I am personally horrified at the cruelty with which the suspect allegedly conducted himself," said Scott Richman, ADL NY/NJ regional director. "More needs to be done proactively to prevent violence against the Jewish community, and in particular visibly identifiable Jews in Ocean County and across our region."
"Jews should not be afraid to freely go about their business without living in fear that they will be targeted for violence," Richman said. "The past few years have seen far too many assaults against Jews."
The string of incidents began with a carjacking about 1 p.m. at Martin Luther King Drive and Pine Street in Lakewood, Billhimer said. Marsh is accused of approaching a 2016 Toyota Camry, assaulting the driver and taking off in the car, Billhimer said.
Five hours later, about 6 p.m., a pedestrian was hit by a dark-colored vehicle in the area of Central Avenue and Carlton Avenue, Billhimer said. The man was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and was listed in stable condition on Saturday, he said.
At 6:55 p.m., police found a man with a stab wound to the chest at Pine Circle Drive and Lakewood New Egypt Road in Lakewood, Billhimer said. The victim was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition on Saturday, he said.
About 8:20 p.m., a pedestrian was hit by a car at Galassi Court in Jackson, Billhimer said. Investigators were able to determine the man had been hit by the Toyota that was stolen during the carjacking, he said. The man who was hit was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and was listed in critical but stable condition Saturday, Billhimer said.
Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit and the Lakewood Township Police Department were able to determine Marsh was responsible for all four incidents, Billhimer said, and he was arrested at his home,
"Our investigation reveals that these criminal acts were committed throughout the day yesterday into the early evening and that Marsh was acting alone and not in concert with anyone else," Billhimer said. "I'm grateful for the collaborative efforts of every police officer and detective that worked swiftly to identify Marsh and bring him into custody without further injury to anyone. A tremendous job by all involved."
The following organizations were involved in the investigation and arrest: the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crime Unit, the Lakewood Township Police Department, the Jackson Township Police Department, the Manchester Township Police Department, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, the Ocean County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit, New Jersey State Police, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the New Jersey Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
Note: This article has been updated with statements from Gov. Phil Murphy and the Anti-Defamation League of New York and New Jersey
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