Stafford Township, NJ - On Monday, March 16, 2026 at approximately 11:00 AM, Patrolman Theodore Caporrino and Special Class II Police Officer Christopher Cormann of the Stafford Township Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Route 72 and the Garden State Parkway in Manahawkin on 50-year-old Michael R. Thiel Jr. of Cedar Drive in Manahawkin. During the course of the motor vehicle stop, Patrolman Caporrino and Special Class II Police Officer Cormann developed reasonable suspicion that Thiel Jr. was possessing a controlled dangerous substance inside the vehicle and/or on his person. As a result, Detective Zach Wiatrowski and his narcotic K-9 partner, Venus, were requested to the scene to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle. As a result, K-9 Venus gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics odor coming from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a quantity of suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia. 

Ultimately, Thiel Jr. was charged with 2C:35-10A(1) possession of heroin (3rd degree crime) and 2C:36-2A possession of drug paraphernalia (disorderly persons offense). 

After being processed at Stafford Township Police Department, Thiel Jr. was released on a summons with a future court date at the Ocean County Superior Court.

As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.