Man Charged With Selling Heroin Near Berkeley Public Parks: Chief

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, NJ - Thanks to citizen complaints, Berkeley police arrested a South Toms River man accused of openly selling heroin in public parks in the Manitou Park section of the the township, Police Chief Karin T. DiMichele said.

Levine Leonard, 28, Belmont Street, was arrested driving a white Lexus near the Garden State Parkway entrance ramp in South Toms River recently. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River. More arrests are expected, the chief said.

"The Berkeley Township Police cannot stress enough that although a strong police presence is important in deterring crime in your neighborhood, that presence alone will not always be enough to prevent issues, such as drug dealing," DiMichele said. "Residents must become proactive in reporting suspicious activity or suspected crimes."

Leonard was charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin within 500 feet of a public park, DiMichele said.

Residents complained of "open air" drug deals and car and foot traffic during the day and night, many times at or near public parks, Dimichele said.

"Detectives were able to view in person, drug deals throughout the area," the chief said. "These transactions were observed to be occurring in the vicinity of the public park on 3rd Ave as well as in the area of the public baseball fields on 5th Ave. These areas are frequented by neighborhood children and youth sports leagues."

The Lexus was impounded pending forfeiture proceedings. More arrests are likely as the investigation continues, DiMichele said.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Berkeley Township Detective Bureau, which included Detective Lieutenant Peter La Rocca, Detective Sergeant Joseph Robertazzi, Detective Joseph Santoro, Detective Michael Riccardelli, Detective William Somers and Detective Michael O’Connor. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Warrant and K-9 unit as well as the South Toms River Police Department also assisted in this successful arrest.

Anyone who sees anything suspicious can report it to police by calling Berkeley police at 732-341-1132 ext. 611. Tips can be anonymous.

Photo: Patricia A. Miller