The following is an Asbury Park Press report:

Thirty-nine-year-old Jaime Gonzalez was shackled to a wheelchair today as he made his first court appearance on charges of the attempted murder of four Lakewood police officers.

Also appearing before Judge Wendel E. Daniels today was Carlos Javier Franco, 36, of Seaside Heights, who was arrested just two hours prior to Gonzalez’ alleged shootout with the Lakewood Police Tactical Entry Team about 2:30 a.m. Sept. 24, after a no-knock search warrant was initiated at his home at 1154 Mackenzie Court, Lakewood.

Gonzalez, who was shot several times, was released from Jersey Shore University Medical Center on Saturday and moved to the Ocean County Jail. He is charged with four counts of attempted murder and is being held on a combined bail of $2 million. Daniels said there will be a bail hearing within two weeks.

Franco made his first appearance on charges of possession of cocaine and intent to distribute the drug on July 29, Aug. 6, Aug. 19 and Sept. 2. His bail on those charges is set at $75,000 and he would have to reveal the source of any money presented for his bail in a source hearing, Daniels said.

A first appearance was held Sept. 25 on Franco’s initial charges of possession of less than a half-ounce of heroin; possession of the drug with the intent to distribute; possession with the intent to distribute in a school zone and in a recreation zone; and possession of drug paraphernalia, including a scale and hypodermic needles. His combined total bail is $150,000.

Gonzalez is also facing other charges involving drugs allegedly found in his home when the search warrant was executed. The judge did not mention those charges today.

The other charges include possession of more than 5 ounces of cocaine, possession of the drug MDMA, intent to distribute cocaine, possession of more than 50 grams of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute it, and possession of a firearm while committing or conspiring to commit a drug offense. He additionally was charged with possession of a smaller amount of cocaine and intent to distribute it on Sept. 2, Aug. 19, Aug. 6 and July 29, the complaint states.

He also has not had his first court appearance on charges of possession of a stolen handgun from South Carolina and possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.

The charges are the result of an investigation by members of the Prosecutor’s Office Special Operations Group; Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and State Police.

A third person charged in connection with the investigation was Edwin Lugo, 34, also known as Jose Vasquez, was charged initially with obstruction. He was charged additionally with possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute.

Lugo had been released from the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on $20,000 cash bail on the obstruction charge, but now a warrant for his arrest sets his bail at $150,000, and will require him to show the source of the bail money.

Two of the four officers were hospitalized after the shooting and have since been released.

(Source: Asbury Park Press)