On Monday, Lakewood Police Department received information that Mark L. Johnson, who had been previously charged with bias intimidation and harassment while on probation, was hiding out at an address on Frederick Drive, in Bayville, NJ.

Detective Steve Wexler assisted by several members of the Berkeley Twp. Police Department proceeded to this address and arrested Johnson. As a result of that arrest an additional suspect was found in the residence: Amanda A. Coady (18) a resident of New Albany, Pennsylvania.

She was arrested, taken into custody and Berkeley Twp PD transported both parties back to Lakewood PD headquarters.

As a result of interviews of a witness and Miss Coady, she was charged with 5 counts of bias intimidation 4th degree and five counts of harassment disorderly. Her bail was set at 12,500.00 dollars. Both suspects were than transported to Ocean County jail on default of bail.

Lakewood Police Chief Rob Lawson said “With these arrests, all of the suspects in the bias incidents occurring on 5/19/10 have been arrested and charged with serious crimes. Hopefully, this will send a loud message out to any others who think that it is fun or acceptable to harass people based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, handicap, color, or sexual orientation.”

(Berel Septimus – YWN)