TR Man Charged With DUI, Threatening To Kill Lacey Police Officer

Lacey police recently arrested a Toms River man for drunk driving, threatening to kill a police officer and a number of other charges, Police Chief David A. Paprota said.

Officers John Simonson and Julie Barcalow responded to the 100 block of Route 9 South for a vehicle that struck a building at 5:04 p.m. on July 28,

After a brief investigation, they arrested the driver, Laurentin Benites, 39. He was charged with driving under the influence, refusal to take a breath test, reckless driving, driving without a license and driving with an open container of alcohol in the motor vehicle, the chief said.

"During the incident, Benites threatened to kill Officer Julie Barcalow," Paprota said. "As a result, he was charged with Threats to Kill; his bail was set at $50,000 with no ten percent option."

Benites was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of bail, the chief said.

A passenger in the car, Mario Montes Perez, 24,  was charged with simple assault after allegedly striking a citizen who was checking on him directly after the collision. He was released after being served with a summons, Paprota said.