Murder charges filed against Lakewood slay suspect, who is still at large

Saturday Press Conference about progress in murder investigation and pursuit of suspect Jahmell W. Crockham, 19, who police believe murdered Lakewood Police Officer Christopher Matlosz.

Police Officer Killed in Lakewood, N.J.: MyFoxNY.com

Murder charges have been filed against Jahmell W. Crockam, 19, in the killing of township police Officer Christopher Matlosz, Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said this afternoon.

Crockam, 19, of Lakewood, is known by the street name ""Sav,'' which is short for ""Savage,'' Ford said. He remains at large.

""At this point, we need to assume that he is armed and that he will use that lethal weapon,'' Ford said.

Crockam was charged with weapons violations on Dec. 29 during an ""incident'' that Ford declined to describe. During that incident Crockam was arrested for possession of a rifle and hollow-point bullets. Ford would not comment on whether Matlosz was shot with hollow points. Ford did not comment on Crockam's possible affiliation with with street gangs. She said his known associates are being questioned and anyone with outstanding warrants is being brought in by police.

James Ryan, spokesman for New Jersey State Policemen's Benevolent Association, said donations toward the reward for information regarding the murder case have been pouring in all day. As of 4:30 p.m., the reward was about $133,000.

Among the contributors: the New Jersey State PBA, $10,000; more than $30,000 from local PBAs in Ocean and Monmouth counties; New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, $10,000; $50,000 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and $10,000 from the National Police Defense Foundation, whose corporate headquarters is in Morganville.

Police unions from around the state also donated money toward the reward, Ryan said.

Christopher Matlosz, 27, of Manchester, was pronounced dead at 4:54 p.m. Friday at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune, less than an hour after he was reported being shot by a frantic caller who called 911. The shooting sparked a massive search for Crockam that began Friday evening from the air and on the ground.

Crockam was described as black, 5 foot 7 inches tall, about 220 pounds and he was last seen fleeing on foot wearing a black, hooded sweat shirt and dark, sagging jeans with exposed gray boxer shorts

Anyone with information regarding the shooting death of Officer Matlosz is asked to call township Detective Lt. Paul Daly who is leading the investigation at 732-363-0200 ext. 5332, or Detective Casey Long, of the prosecutor's office at 732-814-6983.