LOWER TOWNSHIP POLICE RELEASE:
On Wednesday, 09-02-09, Lower Township Detectives received information that a Joseph Fontanez, age 28 of Rosevelt Blvd. in the Del Haven Section of Middle Township, may be enroute to the Shawcrest Section of Lower Township to distribute Heroin.
Detectives determined that there were multiple outstanding bench warrants on Fontanez from various jurisdictions for failure to appear on previous drug charges and driving with a suspended or revoked driver’s license.
At approximately 3:50 pm, Lower Township Detectives pulled into the entrance of Shawcrest off of State Highway Route 47 and immediately observed Fontanez, whom they were familiar with through prior police contacts, walking west on the George Redding Bridge from Wildwood towards Shawcrest.
When Fontanez observed the detective’s vehicles, he immediately began to run back towards Wildwood. Detectives Joseph Boyle and Chris Lambert pursued Fontanez on foot over the walkway of the George Redding Bridge.
While pursuing Fontanez, the detectives observed him throw a 7-11 coffee cup with the lid still on it into the intercoastal waterway off of the bridge. Fontanez also threw several white packets from his pockets that landed in the grass on the slope of the bridge.
Detective Lambert was able to close the distance on Fontanez and advised him that he was under arrest.
However, Fontanez continued to resist his arrest and physically struggled with Lambert after being brought to the ground where he then bit Lambert’s right index finger causing bleeding to the finger.
Fontanez was then subdued with the assistance of Detective Joseph Boyle and placed under arrest.
Patrol Officers from the Wildwood Police Department also responded to the bridge to assist with the incident.
The George Redding Bridge is actually located in Lower Township’s jurisdiction.
Detectives then requested assistance from the Cape May County Sheriff’s Department’s K-9 Unit who responded with a Narcotic Detection Dog. K-9 Officers were able to locate several packets of suspected Heroin that Fontanez discarded during the foot pursuit.
The 7-11 coffee cup, which was thrown from the bridge into the intercoastal waterway, was floating and was observed by the detectives the entire time and floated back to the Lower Township side of the waterway and also contained several packets of Heroin.
During a search of his person after his arrest, Fontanez was also found to be in possession of Marijuana.
Detective Lambert was treated at Cape Urgent Care in Lower Township for the bite wound to his finger.
Fontanez was transported to Lower Township Police Department for processing where he complained of a shoulder injury sustained during his arrest.
Lower Township Rescue Squad was summoned and transported Fontanez to Cape Regional Medical Center for evaluation prior to his being lodged in the Cape May County Jail on the following charges with bail set by Lower Township Municipal Court Judge, David DeWeese, at $50,000 cash.
Possession of Heroin
Possession of Heroin with Intent to Distribute
(these being 3rd Degree crimes)
Possession of Marijuana under 50 gms.
Resisting Arrest
Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer
In addition Fontanez had outstanding warrants from the cities of Wildwood, East Brunswick and Fair Town, New Jersey, totaling over $4,600 in fines.
According to the state Department of Corrections, Fontanez was released from Northern State Prison, Newark on March 28, 2007 after being incarcerated since Sept. 19, 2003. He served time on burglary and drug manufacturing/distribution charges.
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