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Massinissa Ladj, of Jackson, has been charged with sexual assault, three counts of endangering the welfare of a child, and four counts of lewdness, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
On Jan. 24, Lakewood police were notified that a male wearing a ski mask and driving a black vehicle motioned to a 16-year-old girl who was walking down East 5th Avenue to approach his car the previous day, the prosecutor said. As the girl approached the vehicle, the male "made motions consistent with masturbating" before driving off, Billhimer said.
Further investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit and Lakewood Police Department discovered that a similar incident had occurred on Jan. 21. In this instance as a 12-year-old female was walking on East 5th Avenue, a male wearing a black surgical mask and driving a black vehicle called out to her. When the girl approached the vehicle the male was actively masturbating, according to Billhimer. The vehicle then sped away.
On Feb. 11, Lakewood Police were again contacted when a woman walking with her baby on North Lake Drive reported that a male, driving a black vehicle, pulled over and asked for directions. When the woman approached the car, the male was actively masturbating. The vehicle again left the area. While investigating this incident, law enforcement discovered that on Feb. 5, a male matching the description of the suspect in the earlier incidents, called a 14-year-old female over to his vehicle, when the girl approached the vehicle the male was actively masturbating, the prosecutor said. Law enforcement was able to obtain a description of the suspect vehicle.
Further investigation was able to determine that Ladj was responsible for all four incidents. On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office executed a court-authorized search warrant on Ladj’s person and vehicle.
As Ladj was leaving his home in Jackson Township, Jackson Township Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle being operated by Ladj. Ladj was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Billhimer commended the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victims Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Lakewood Township Police Department, Jackson Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for their combined and collective assistance in this investigation.
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