Two charged with drug possession and burglary on same day

Ocean Township — Police say that two men committed a burglary just hours after being charged with heroin possession and released on a summons.
According to the Ocean Township Police Department, on Feb. 7, Detectives Michael Melody and Jessie Orbach were on patrol in the area of Monmouth Road and Wells Avenue when they stopped a vehicle operated by Ethan Haacker, 19, of Oakhurst.

Following an investigation, Haacker  and his front seat passenger Eric Xenakis, 20, of Oakhurst, were found to be in possession of 89 bags of heroin. Both were arrested and taken to the Township of Ocean Police Headquarters for processing, and were charged with possession of heroin.

Haacker was additionally charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle. Both were released on complaint summonses to await a future court hearing.

Approximately one hour after being released from police custody, police were alerted to a residential burglary on Lewis Street in Oakhurst where money and jewelry were taken.

A follow up investigation by Detective Sergeant John Green and Detective Bryan Morgan identified Haacker and Xenakis suspects in that burglary. At approximately 4:00 p.m. Haacker was taken into custody in the area of Highway 35 and West Park Avenue.

Police say Xenakis fled the area and was located by Officer Casey Larrison hiding in a basement area of the Cobblestone Village Shopping Center.

Stolen jewelry taken from the burglary was located in Haacker ’s car. Police believe that the burglary was committed by Haacker  and Xenakis immediately following their release from police custody.

As a result of the Oakhurst burglary, Haacker was charged with burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Xenakis was charged with burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, obstruction, criminal trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail was set by Judge Louis Garripo at $100,000 with no ten percent option. Both were taken to the Monmouth County Correctional Institution to await a future court hearing. Haacker’s vehicle was subsequently seized under the state criminal forfeiture guidelines for being used in the commission of a crime.