PLUMSTED TEEN ARRESTED IN SCHOOL THREATS – ATTEMPT TO GET GUN
Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato, Plumsted Township Police Chief Earl Meroney and Plumsted Township Schools Superintendent Gerald North today announced the arrest of Matthew Vanderbeek, 19, of Cream Ridge, NJ. He is charged with 3rd degree Terroristic Threats with a Threat to Kill and 2nd degree Attempting to Possess a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose.
On 06/19/2018, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit Det. Brant Uricks joined with Plumsted Township Police Det. Anthony Ringle to investigate an alleged threat made by a New Egypt High School student to shoot students and staff at the school’s graduation ceremony. The investigation by the partnering detectives quickly identified Matthew Vanderbeek as the suspect who allegedly utilized social media to communicate his intention to shoot school students and staff. A search warrant was approved and authorized to search Vanderbeek’s Hyacinth Court residence to check for weapons, additional evidence of the crime and to attempt to seize any communications made via phone or computer.
The search warrant was executed by the initial investigating agencies, with assistance from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office’s CSI, as well as, their K-9 capable of detecting the presence of firearms or ammunition. The search warrant and follow-up investigation verified the threats by Vanderbeek and found additionally that he was attempting to obtain a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he was lodged pending a detention hearing.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office wants to make it clear that there is no present threat to the Plumsted Township School system or the graduation ceremony.
The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.