Jackson Police Department News Release

Suspect Wanted In Assault Investigation

The Jackson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance to locate a wanted suspect of an aggravated assault.

On Tuesday September 24, 2019 at approximately 2:20 pm, multiple officers responded to a residence on Melissa Lee Drive on the report of a female who had reportedly come out of a nearby wooded area screaming for help and was found by a resident.

It was reported to officers that the female victim had picked up the male suspect, who was known to her, at a Jackson residence and drove to a nearby WaWa parking lot where the couple was talking inside the vehicle. During that time it was alleged that the male suspect began using cocaine and had possession of a taser which he used to shock her multiple times. During this time he also allegedly threatened the victim with the taser not to attempt to alert police to what was taking place and then also choked her. After the victim crawled into the rear seat of the vehicle, the suspect drove away with her trapped in the rear and unable to exit the vehicle as the child safety locks were engaged. He then drove to Melissa Lee Drive where he got out of the vehicle and he dropped the vehicle keys on the ground that threw the victim’s cell phone that he had taken from her into the woods before leaving on foot. Responding officers checked the area for the suspect but received information that he had left the area.

Detectives followed up on the investigation, identifying the suspect and ultimately conferring with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office on complaints.

The suspect was identified as Jesse J. Shawger (pictured), age 26 of Toms River, NJ but who may be staying at residences in Jackson. He was charged with: criminal restraint, robbery, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and aggravated assault and is currently entered as a New Jersey Wanted Person and at this time may still be in possession of the taser.

Anyone with any information of Mr. Shawger’s location are asked to contact Det. Robert Reiff or Det. Michael Goelz of the Jackson Police Department at 732-928-1111 or information can be left anonymously at the department’s P3 Tips site.

  • The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

Captain Steven Laskiewicz
Investigations Division Commander
Public Information Officer
Jackson Police Department
September 25, 2019