Crime & Safety
Jersey Shore Boardwalk 'Takeover' Post Leads To Teen's Arrest: Police
A July 4 investigation into an unsanctioned boardwalk event led to a 19-year-old from PA being charged, authorities said.
WILDWOOD, NJ — A 19-year-old Pennsylvania man was charged Saturday after an investigation into a social media post advertising a “TAKEOVER” event on the boardwalk, according to the Wildwood Police Department.
The department said its Detective Division was contacted July 4 by NJ Transit Police about the post, which was “to take place on our boardwalk.” During the investigation, police said they were unable to identify the promoter of the “unsanctioned/non-permitted event” and could not get the post canceled or removed from the social media platform. Because of that, the department said it mobilized resources to the target area “to ensure it did not take place.”
Police said business owners in the target area removed some operational equipment to make sure nothing was damaged if a crowd arrived. During what the department described as a proactive presence in the area, uniformed officers contacted numerous small groups and moved them along.
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The department said additional information developed during the investigation led detectives to share a photo of a suspected promoter with officers assigned to the boardwalk. At about 6:08 p.m. in the 2600 block of the boardwalk, officers assigned to the bike unit stopped a person whose appearance police said was very similar to the photo they had been given.
That stop led to Stephen Kerrin, a 19-year-old male of Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, being charged with disturbance at a public gathering, according to police.
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“To those who think they can bring this type of disruptive and unlawful behavior to the City of Wildwood, I assure you we will do everything in our power to identify you and charge you to the full extent of the law!” Police Chief Joseph Murphy said. “To the public, thank you for sharing the information you may see on the various social media platforms. Due to the vastness of these platforms, the information shared is of significant importance to our investigations.”
Police said Kerrin was processed on a summons complaint and released.
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