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Home/Press Release/PROSECUTOR’S SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP JOINS FORCES WITH LACEY TOWNSHIP POLICE ARREST TRIO IN LATEST DRUG INVESTIGATION
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PROSECUTOR’S SPECIAL OPERATIONS GROUP JOINS FORCES WITH LACEY TOWNSHIP POLICE ARREST TRIO IN LATEST DRUG INVESTIGATION

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Lacey Township Police Chief Dave Paprota announced today the culmination of an investigation into drug activity impacting the southern Ocean County area. Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Southern Enforcement Unit conducted a cooperative narcotics investigation with the Lacey Township Police Department that resulted in the arrest of three Lacey residents.

At approximately 6:30 pm on March 28, 2016 Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Southern Enforcement Unit and the Lacey Township Police Department located a 2005 Ford Taurus, identified as allegedly being utilized to transport quantities of heroin into Lacey Township, which was occupied by Michael A. Araneo, 57, Michael A. Araneo II, 23, and Nicholas M. Picone, 35. A motor vehicle stop was conducted on the vehicle in the area of Bay Way and Maple Road in the Lanoka Harbor section of Lacey Township. A search of the suspect vehicle located approximately 550 individual dosage units of heroin along with a quantity of cocaine. Police also seized approximately $1200 dollars in cash.

During the course of the motor vehicle stop, the senior Michael Araneo failed to obey commands and struggled with officers refusing to exit the suspect vehicle. The Araneos were later identified as father and son. All three subjects were subsequently arrested and transported to the Lacey Township Police Department.

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Captain Jack Sramaty, who serves as the Chairman of the New Jersey County Commanders Association and is the Commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group stated, “This is a prime example of what can be achieved when local and county law enforcement join forces to combat the distribution of narcotics in Ocean County.”

Michael A. Araneo, 57, of 826 Hazelton Ave, Lanoka Harbor, NJ, was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Resisting Arrest. Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels P.J.Cr.P JSC set bail at $75,000, no ten percent. Mr. Araneo was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Michael A. Araneo II, 23, of 826 Hazelton Ave, Lanoka Harbor, NJ, was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine. Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels P.J.Cr.P JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent. Mr. Araneo II was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

Nicholas M. Picone, 35, of 1503 Whitcomb Road, Forked River, NJ, was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Cocaine. Ocean County Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels P.J.Cr.P JSC set bail at $50,000, no ten percent. Mr. Picone II was subsequently housed in the Ocean County Jail.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Michael A. Araneo IIMichael A. Araneo II

Michael A. AraneoMichael A. Araneo

Nicholas M. PiconeNicholas M. Picone

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