TOMS RIVER: Around 12:15 PM this day the New Jersey State Police confirmed they pulled over a UHaul box truck near milepost 84.9 northbound on the Garden State Parkway in Toms River. The vehicle stop ultimately occurred on the right shoulder by the Toms River Toll Plaza, after the vehicle briefly stopped in the EZ Pass lane. The NJSP also confirm there were 4 adults and 2 juveniles in the UHaul truck in various areas. It appears there were 2 adults in the front, with 2 adults and 2 juveniles in the rear. In the end, officers ruled out kidnapping- and confirmed there were no charges being filed as of press time. This is still an open investigation, and we hope additional details will surface regarding this suspicious incident. So, what lead to the massive police presence and original suspicion of locating and stopping this rental vehicle?
NJ State Police confirm to the media that a 911 call was made from a cellular phone by an occupant inside the UHaul. This call was made earlier, and details of the call were not made public at press time. In an effort to locate the truck, the caller’s cell phone was pinged, or triangulated based off cellular towers. By pinging a user’s cell phone, law enforcement is able to locate a caller more efficiently. Callers often do not know where they are, especially inside a closed box truck or deep inside the woods somewhere. This is not as broad as wire tapping, or surveillance- just basic location sharing information all smartphones do as they maintain a signal. Furthermore- the UHaul vehicles may be equipped with GPS tracking equipment as many rentals are now. The vehicle was tracked up the Garden State Parkway traveling northbound, but seemed to get off at Exit 83. Location data is unclear, but OCSN believes we heard dispatch track the vehicle through the Home Depot parking lot, and then back onto the Parkway. By the time the UHaul made it to the toll booths, the trooper was already in the area.
Once the lone State Trooper made the stop and approach, he likely detained the front-seat passengers as he didn’t have backup nearby. NJSP did confirm no charges were filed against the adults, but until the situation is secure suspects, or presumed suspects can be legally detained.
With the driver being safely detained, the trooper noted on the radio that the passenger was acting suspicious and possibly hiding something. This would be unfounded, or unreported as again nobody was charged with anything. Listening to this incident unfold on the scanner was tense enough, but we could hear the suspense in the trooper’s voice as he had no idea what he was getting into. He was alone, and backup was still minutes away. At this point OCSN was aware the truck was pulled over, but we had no prior knowledge of the 911 call they were acting on. This brave NJ State Trooper only knew a vague 911 call was made from someone inside this moving truck- and had to act quickly.
Thanks to interoperability and mutual aid assistance, the Toms River Police & Ocean County Sheriff joined in the investigation. Ultimately witnesses report around 10 law enforcement vehicles were on scene- along with ambulances.
Police would determine there were 4 individuals in the rear of the UHaul riding as passengers, unsecured and unsafely. NJSP confirms two were juveniles, but no identities of anyone involved in this incident have been released. EMS was on scene to treat and evaluate any injuries in case they were needed.
Once the roadside investigation was nearing the end, the State Police transported the occupants back to their barracks for further investigation and evaluation. OCSN believes the UHaul was impounded from the scene, but likely was released as no charges were filed.
As for today (02/28/2021), the New Jersey State Police confirmed basic details regarding this incident. They explained that no charges were filed, and no kidnapping case was apparent. However, the investigation is still open- and released no further information.
On a condition of anonymity- a UHaul employee confirmed to OCSN that a male rented this particular UHaul from a New York State location. OCSN has additional details we are working on confirming, and hope to include them when a more detailed press release surfaces.
As always- Ocean County Scanner News obtains much of our facts from radio transmissions heard over scanner radios. We only share facts and details that a law enforcement agency has confirmed- or we heard with our own ears. Thank you for your patience as we ensure our stories and articles include as much information as we have available to publish.
So if it was not a kidnapping or any kind of trafficking, I am curious to hear about the reason of why those four individuals were in the back in the first place.
Matthew Sypniewski not enough room in the front of the truck. Probably going to move someone in/out and nobody else had a car to follow the truck.
Christine Stradtner Burke, but according to the info OCSN has, a 911 call was made by an occupant inside the UHAUL. Idk, definitely going to be following this.
Matthew Sypniewski called endangering welfare of a minor
Matthew Sypniewski you know how ridiculous people are these days. Someone probably called just because they saw juveniles in the back.
Matthew Sypniewski my bad. I didn’t see you said someone inside the truck called nor have I seen that in any post.
Where did you read that ?
Andy Nemec, the link that the page provided.
Matthew Sypniewski i just saw it. Thx
Matthew Sypniewski that’s my uneasy feeling. Why a 911 call from the back of the truck. Something doesn’t seem right.
Andy Nemec it’s in the story posted above by Ocean county scanner news. They pinged the phone to find the truck. Scan down in the story.
Andy Nemec sorry I answered where it was before seeing you already had info ????
Linda Schroeck lol
I think everyone does that.
No problem.
Andy Nemec have a great night.
Matthew Sypniewski or why someone called 911…
Jaime Lyn Bassmaster, what me and the others are wondering. Obviously it’s an open investigation so officials won’t release that info yet but still why call 9-1-1? Something is off.
Matthew Sypniewski
Linda Schroeck you too thanks
Christine Stradtner Burke which is illegal
Matthew Sypniewski probably because they didn’t fit in the cab lol
Matthew Sypniewski same here
Christine Stradtner Burke my thoughts too, I’m sure it wasn’t a first choice.
Matthew Sypniewski I’m curious as to why no charges were filed. It’s illegal to have passengers in the back of a box truck.
Matthew Sypniewski and why one of them called 911
Matthew Sypniewski or the reason someone in the truck called the cops
Gloria Gloria because they would get a motor vehicle summons. Charges would be for crimes committed.
Details!
Lizzette Steffer Calderon Sosa update
Tara DeFalco ok doesn’t say anything about why kids were in the back
Lizzette Steffer Calderon Sosa still investigating someone call from the truck though
Tara DeFalco yeah i read that in the first article. Praying kids are safe. ????????
Joseph Brown
Karan Rae Koller well that’s pretty fucking weird, had to be a pretty uncomfortable ride being in the back of that thing!
Joseph
I’d say so
????
Joseph Brown weird that someone from the back called 911.
Something is fishy here….. why would one of the kids call 911
Kelly Owens Blair
Makes no sense…article poorly written!
Janet Halen Vacca
Buy a scanner and write one better? ????
Ocean County Scanner News I think it’s absolutely well written but obviously police and investigators are working on this and will probably be released in dribs and drabs. I thank you for all you do.
Janet Halen Vacca
Go pay $0.99 for this crap then?
Ocean County Scanner News just saying it would be good to have a start, a finish and
a chronological story in between. Its seems all over the place. I do write for my company. Just needs some organized thoughts here. Outline your topic first….
Ocean County Scanner News this version is actually short and sweet …..and to the point ….not so much back and forth
Janet Halen Vacca, you didn’t need to read the whole article to get the point, it was summarized in the beginning.
If you don’t like the free content, you could read other news by actual reporters. You get what you pay for, most people are not great writers; we can be grateful that they volunteer their time to try to keep us informed.
Let’s try to be nice and appreciate their effort. It’s not the gift, but the thought that counts.
Something is missing as to why someone called 911
Charles Collins
Correct: NJSP has not said what the 911 call was in reference to.
Why was the 911 call made? Something isn’t adding up here. ????
No charges filed? And I get a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt? Guess I just need to throw my passengers at round a box to get off..
Brittany Alexander
I wonder why the police didn’t ask the kids what’s going on. They would’ve told police
Susan Francischetti Police aren’t allowed to question minors anymore…..
Susan Francischetti Once the roadside investigation was nearing the end, the State Police transported the occupants back to their barracks for further investigation and evaluation. However, the investigation is still open- and released no further information.
John Anderson ???
That’s the new weed and alcohol laws you’re referring to. Kids can be questioned about crimes with parental consent
Justin Grabowski Key words “with parental consent”
John Anderson police aren’t allowed to question minors if said minor is involved with a crime
John Anderson that’s what it’s always been when questioning minors.
With the exception of the new weed/alcohol law, that has not changed.
Yelenieskas Areilus with parental consent they absolutely can
Your not supposed to be a passenger in the bed of a truck either but people still do it.
God bless them ????
Still under investigation and no mention of anyone being released. Interesting that the truck was rented in NY. Were they on their way back to NY?
OCSN is disappointed in the few details provided by NJSP. Again, we posted what we know and what were given. This investigation is still open, and will likely require an OPRA.
Ocean County Scanner News you also post a huge bias and lots of uneducated opinions. Huge help to the delivery of news to our society.
Kel Lynn
We post stories with as minimal bias as we can. The 500 random comments took our few facts and created their own version. That’s expected when we post breaking stories that surface before press releases.
Ocean County Scanner News I’m thinking the reason details are so sparse is because they don’t want certain details made pubic in case someone they’re tracking down gets wind that they’re implicated. Also goes to charges not being brought up while the individuals are still being detained so that nothing is on public record yet for someone to see.
Mike Battaglino
Of course! We understand that and you understand that. Most readers want a full open to close story with jail time and sentencing- in 3 sentences.
Kel Lynn so does The news????♀️
Ocean County Scanner News anything new on this?
????????????????????
Highly recommend reading the whole article on this one!
“On a condition of anonymity- a UHaul employee confirmed to OCSN that a male rented this particular UHaul from a New York State location.”
That’s quite the drive locked in the back of a uhaul… ????
Britt Any can’t read the article. But it can’t be anything good will people in the back locked in.
Britt Any but yet since trucks became a thing, people with less means have been doing exactly this to move belongings and people in one trip. It’s a sad reality for people without a lot of money. I remember my cousin bouncing around in the back of a pick up with a cap on it when my uncle took us places. Not enough seats, and he was the oldest, so he went in the back. The 70s were different.
Tizzie Cregan I’m aware but based on the picture & article, this doesn’t seem to be the situation. The truck doesn’t look packed up & 911 was called from within the truck…
I highly recommend reading the entire article
Stephenie Etzkorn
https://ocscanner.news/2021/02/28/toms-river-additional-details-emerge-from-suspicious-uhaul-incident-no-charges-filed/
Britt Any ok, and so you wait and allow the people charged with investigating to, well, investigate. Its not uncommon for information to be scarce in an open investigation. I suppose part of that include finding out why 911 was called. Could be anything from human trafficking to the people inside lost ability to communicate with those in the cab and needed assistance. I am sure a statement on the matter will come when its.. investigated. Maybe it’s q case where this leads to something bigger? I don’t know, and thus far, you don’t know.
Tizzie Cregan what are you paragraphing at me for? Maybe you misunderstand my original comment. My comment was simple, read the whole article, not just the title or 1st paragraph, before jumping to conclusions ????????
I’m glad the police are the ones doing the detective work here ???? note how I have made zero speculations on this situation bc I don’t have all the facts but I also find filling up the comment section with non-fact based speculations to be ignorance.
Have a nice day now!
The people in the comments cracked this case quick. It’s definitely human trafficking. They definitely made a huge order of kids on Wayfair and needed a uhaul to transport all the kids to the deep state pizza party. It’s bout to all come out stay tuned. ????????????
Nick Pereira
Someone needs to pay!
Or go pay $1 for 12 years, or whatever APP is begging people to pay for their rag. Imagine paying for no real photos, and 4 paragraphs of fluff with no research done.
I thought they can fine you for making a false 911 call?????
Cuz it’s only 19’95 a day
Some of y’all never had “shit happen”, and it shows ????????♀️
Queeno Vroominy we all had crap happen. We just didn’t get away with doing dumb stuff
Sounds like stupid family members that didn’t have room up front
Michelle Engroff
I wonder if they picked up people at Home Depot for workers, and one got scared and called 911…?
Another case of mind your own fucking business.
Still under investigation by NJSP hence why there is limited information as of now.This was stated by OCSN.
What led to the massive police presence? Are you for real? It’s really not obvious to you? It was probably someone moving their family who couldn’t afford to rent 2 vehicles, or add the extra mileage or time to a uhaul rental. That said, do you want police to take potential human trafficking lightly?
Tizzie Cregan they did exactly what they should have , I agree . My question is , why wasn’t the driver charged with driving unsecured passengers , endangering the welfare of a child ?
Gloria Gloria he may still be, or the courts may have sympathy for people facing hard times and impossible choice and not charge them but work with them, maybe help find them assistance. What does adding more financial burden to a family potentially forced to make choice like this really do? Or. Maybe they are still investigating and so perhaps it will be that and other charges. Chatges are not always immediate, and sometimes they don’t happen. That’s just how it is.
Tizzie Cregan I understand. I agree adding financial burden is not a solution . With that said . They broke the law . They endangered children and that is not ok .
Why would an occupant call 911
Gloria Gloria but, we give justice discretion for a reason. There are arguments to be made that punishing the poor for being poor does not good for them or the greater society, and… charges may still be brought so you and I are not aware if child endangerment will be a charge, possibly among others.
Tizzie Cregan I understand about punishing the poor for being poor . I and my family members have been down that road . My father never put his kids in jeopardy and we were in some very bad positions .
In any case. I’m sure it will all work out. Glad everyone is safe . In the whole scheme of life. I don’t care whether they are charged or not . I will not lose sleep either way .
Gloria Gloria I am glad he never had to. It’s worth noting though, that up through the 70s qnd into the 90s, this would have been ok, so long as a person stopped periodically and the temperatures weren’t extreme.
Tizzie Cregan I was actually thinking of that. You are right. When I was growing up , it wasn’t even the law about seat belts. So , I can see what you mean . Maybe we should rethink all of our micro laws . I had fun riding around in the back of a pick up .
Kyra Staffa I suppose that info will be released at some point when it is no longer an active investigation.
Gloria Gloria one has to ci sider circumstances, intent ect. This is why we allow for judicial discretion. Law isn’t meant to be absolute. There are reasons everyone who ever took an ethics class is asked what is done about the poor man who steals bread or medication to save their child.
Tizzie Cregan I understand. It’s a tough one . Trust me , I’m the kind of person who would let everyone go . I know firsthand that everyone has a story , this is why I’m not a cop . I would let everyone go . Everyone .
Maybe this is the new “Lakewood Minivan”? ????
Danielle Noonan, update
Rachel Marie McNerneythis is what we saw
Is everyone forgetting there was a 911 call made from inside the uhaul??? There were 2 children back there! If this doesn’t scream trafficking I don’t know what does! All you people making jokes should be ashamed of yourselves and those who don’t think this exists…….i hope it never happens to your kids!
they even say in the first paragraphs it was ruled out as a kid napping….so if it was sex trafficing wouldnt it also be kidnapping?
DeStefano Allison read further down it states right now no kidnapping charges have been filed YET. It is an open investigation and charges for kidnapping haven’t been ruled out
Shannon O’Neill I did read it all. The comments on here are what pissed me off! All the people laughing at this need to be investigated cause I’m sure there’s some shit on their computers they don’t want you to see!
Amy Schumacher Tauber that’s why I usually don’t read comments on anything anymore, people’s stupidity and ignorance is out of control.
Shannon O’Neill he has 2 counts of child endangerment & more coming the driver is in OCJ it was definitely trafficking
Arielle Cody oh was this just announced this morning somewhere. I have been checking back for updates but haven’t seen one yet. Thanks
Arielle Cody none of it made sense unless the kid was pissed he didn’t get shotgun why the hell else would they call 911
Shannon O’Neill yes I called the prosecutor office this morning cause this is just to close to home for me
Arielle Cody nice yeah it’s a little messed up and a little weird it isn’t being covered too much by the regular news
Shannon O’Neill
Shannon O’Neill I just don’t want them to hide anything I need full details I have small children I just want to know where was he taking those babies
Arielle Cody oh I hear you
Sam Gonzalez
Wonder if this has anything to do with it. Imma post charges also
????????
Cheaper then renting a camper?
Great job NJSP! There was a 911 call made from the truck. They did their job.
The truck was rented in New York, but when the 911 call was pinged it was first traveling North on the GSP, got off at Exit 83. That means they were somewhere South of Toms River if they were going North. They got back on the GSP heading South when the Trooper pulled them over. So did they pick up a few people somewhere in Jersey or were all these people riding in the back from NY? Seems to me there are a lot of questions that need to be answered and verified.
Charges Filed: https://ocscanner.news/2021/03/01/toms-river-suspect-charged-in-uhaul-incident-from-yesterday-3-charges-pending/
Ocean County Scanner News so there you have it.
Odd that someone in the back called 911 to prompt this whole thing but no details on that aspect…..
The police in the picture are not NJSP looks like stafford police to me .
Michael Bucci from what I read it was also TRPD and also Ocean County Sheriff’s as well.
Michael Bucci was about 10 cops total at the scene. All different departments. Passed it yesterday morning
One of those in picture was so a NJSP officer
Tiana Zerilli
https://www.facebook.com/177683402403282/posts/1724036834434590/?d=n&substory_index=0
3rd world values in a now 3rd world state.
NJ is DOA – OC is next.