Forked River Man, Found Asleep in Playground, Arrested on Drug Charges

One of three people found by police asleep on playground equipment at Bud Mezera Park early Tuesday has been charged with several drug offenses.

Jacob Barney, 20, of Spruce Street, was found along with two other people sleeping on playground equipment at the park at 12:29 a.m. Tuesday, according to a statement from Lacey Township police.

During an investigation, Barney was found to have three outstanding warrants – two out of the Lacey Township Municial Court in the amount of $1,000 each, and the other warrant was out of the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department in the amount of $532, the statement said.

A search of Barney following his arrest yielded four hypodermic syringes, two glassine wax folds containing heroin, a small plastic bag containing cocaine, and a glass smoking device containing burnt marijuana, according to police.

He faces charges of drug possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. According to information obtained from the Ocean County Department of Corrections, Barney is also facing shoplifting and burglary charges.