Man Charged After Gunshots Fired In Manchester Neighborhood

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man is facing weapons charges after authorities found a 9mm handgun in his vehicle after they responded to the sound of gunshots on Sunday, police said Wednesday.

Nathaniel E. Chudkowski, 22, is being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River pending a detention hearing, Lt. Albert Vega said.

Patrolman Connor Maliff was patrolling the area of Manchester Boulevard and Wranglebrook Road on Sunday when he heard several gunshots shortly after 2 a.m., Vega said.

Maliff quickly identified a vehicle coming from the area and pulled it over, Vega said. During the investigation, a 9mm handgun and ammunition were seized from the vehicle, he said.

It is suspected that Chudkowski fired the weapon into the wooded area of Manchester Boulevard while driving in the area, Vega said.

"Due to the swift response and decisive actions of our officers any public safety threat was quickly eliminated," he said.

Chudkowski was charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, failure for a permit to carry holder to disclose to a law enforcement officer that they are carrying a handgun or that a handgun is stored in the vehicle, and consumption of alcohol by an authorized holder of a permit to carry a handgun, Vega said.

Residents are reminded that they may report suspicious activity to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” link.