Subject Arrested with Stolen Firearm 
SUBJECT: Motor Vehicle Crash Leads to Stolen Firearms Arrest
DATE/TIME: 02/16/2024 3:00 pm
OFFICERS: Officers John Goncalves, Timothy Kolodziej, Christopher Stenger, Joseph Larkins, Alicea Angelo, Dane Richards, Quinn Schulhafer, Detectives Dean Schoch, Art Barnek, and Sergeants Bryan Morgan and Raheem Carter
LOCATION: Green Grove Road near Ascot Drive in Ocean Township
ACCUSED: Frank E. Kopec 28 year old male of Howell, NJ
NARRATIVE: On February 16th, 2024 at approximately 3:00 pm officers were dispatched to the area of Green Grove Road and Ascot Drive for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Officers were advised by witnesses that the driver fled the area on foot carrying a backpack. One of the witnesses provided officers with several photographs of the driver that he took with his cell phone. Officers began searching the area along with the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office K-9 unit. The driver, now identified as Frank E. Kopec, was located walking on Cold Indian Springs Road in the area of Blair Court. Mr. Kopec was no longer in possession of his backpack. Officers then searched the wooded area from which Kopec emerged and located his backpack, that contained several pieces of drug paraphernalia and a stolen handgun. Kopec was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing. Kopec was charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Unlawful Possession of Hollow Point Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by Certain Persons, Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia as well as several motor vehicle violations. Kopec was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending an initial court appearance.
PREPARED BY: Detective Lieutenant Paul Flammia
Public Information Officer
(732) 531-1800
[email protected]
DATE: 02/22/2024
Address/Location
Township of Ocean Police Department
399 Monmouth Road
Ocean Township, NJ 07755
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 732-531-1800
