JACKSON – A couple was arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of children after they allegedly left four youngsters in a pickup truck while they played billiards.
At 9:45 p.m. March 24, Jackson police officers Matthew Buono and Phil Minissale responded to the parking lot behind Brook Plaza, South New Prospect Road, to check on the welfare of several children. Police said it had been reported that a woman was seen leaving a child in a pickup truck while she went into a bar in the shopping plaza.
The officers checked the vehicle and observed at least two children who had been left unattended in the rear seat. One officer went into the bar and located a male and female playing billiards and the couple told the officer the pickup truck was theirs, according to police.
The man and the woman went outside and opened the vehicle so the officers could check on the children. At that time the officers discovered there were four children in the vehicle ranging in age from 1 to 8 years old. The temperature was about 32 degrees. Police said the children were checked and it was determined they were not injured in any way.
Police said Sgt. Mitch Cowit arrived at the scene as the investigation continued and it was determined the children had been left in the vehicle unattended for about 30 minutes. The man and the woman were arrested and the Department of Child Protection and Permanency was contacted to take control of the children.
The man, 29, of Jackson, was charged with four counts of child endangerment and with hindering apprehension when it was determined he provided officers with a false name to conceal his identity. Police said there were two outstanding warrants for his arrest from Freehold Borough. The man was also charged with driving without a license, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and failure to use a car seat for children. He was processed and placed in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River.
The woman, 28, of Jackson, was charged with four counts of child endangerment and hindering apprehension. She was released on a summons.
Police said the owner of the pickup truck was issued a summons for allowing an unlicensed person to operate the vehicle. The truck was impounded and towed from the scene.
