Fire Chief Charged With Sexual Assault In Manchester

MANCHESTER, NJ — The fire chief of the Ridgeway Volunteer Fire Company has been charged with sexual assault in a 2022 incident, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday.

Michael D. Trimarchi, 55, of Manchester, was arrested Monday, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The victim contacted Manchester Township police on Sept. 6 to report she had been sexually assaulted by Trimarchi on Aug. 10, 2022, the prosecutor said.

Billhimer said the investigation showed Trimarchi had sexually assaulted the victim while she was sitting in a motor vehicle on that date.

Trimarchi was arrested Monday as detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant at his home.

He is being held in the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

The prosecutor's office is urging anyone with information about Trimarchi or the investigation to contact Sgt. Stephanie Bayha of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, ext. 3861.

The Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and High Tech Crime Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office combined in the investigation.