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Markies Wells, 39, was given 13 charges, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond Santiago said in a news release on Thursday, Aug. 15. He's also known as Messiah Law-Elbey and last had a legitimate address in Neptune Township.
Keansburg police said Wells climbed through a back window of an abandoned Pine View Avenue home in March and changed the locks on the front and back doors. He was arrested and charged in the case.
Holmdel police then found in July that Wells also broke into a foreclosed home on Middletown Road and changed the doors' locks.
"He took up residence in the property, utilizing utilities that had not been turned off and allowing his three pet dogs to cause extensive damage to portions of the home’s interior," Santiago said.
Prosecutors said Wells also filed documents with the county clerk's office claiming to be the rightful owner of both homes.
Investigators said Wells had a knife and threatened to kill officers when he was arrested. A judge ordered him to be held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution through his trial.
Wells was charged with second-degree armed burglary, second-degree attempted theft, second-degree theft, third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree resisting arrest, third-degree threatening to kill members of law enforcement, fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records, fourth-degree obstruction of justice, fourth-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, fourth-degree theft of utility services, fourth-degree trespassing, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
Anyone with information about Wells should call the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 800-533-7443.
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