Crime & Safety

Lavallette Police Chief Arrested in Toms River

Written by Daniel Nee

Lavallette Police Chief Colin Grant was arrested in Toms River on Friday night and charged with assaulting his girlfriend in their shared residence.

Grant, 48, was charged after Toms River police responded to an 11:54 p.m. call at the Bey Lea Fairways complex, Ocean County Prosecutor's Office spokesman Al Della Fave said Monday.

Officers were met by a 40-year-old woman who told them that Grant had physically assaulted her during the course of an argument at the residence, according to a joint statement by Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy. The alleged victim told officers she was Grant's girlfriend and that they lived together.

During the course of the investigation the officers observed "obvious signs of injury to the victim," the statement said.

The injuries were, specifically, redness and a small abrasion about the neck, according to the statement.

Grant surrendered his duty weapon and off duty weapon as a result of the charge, the statement said. He was processed, served his complaint summons, and released to appear in court on a future date. 

The prosecutor's office will now conduct an administrative internal investigation independent of the simple assault charge, the statement said.

According to state pensions records, Grant has been in law enforcement for 15 years and earned $114,356 as chief last year. The Lavallette Police Department's website said Grant has been chief since 2005.






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