Stafford Township, NJ - On Monday, November 4th, 2024 the Stafford Township Police Department Drug Enforcement Unit, New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression South, and Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force Unit concluded an investigation into the distribution of illegal firearms in the area which led to the arrest of 55 year old George A. Garulle of Neptune Avenue in Beachwood, NJ, and 39 year old Dana Restaino of Schoolhouse Road in Whiting, NJ. Prior to Garulle’s and Restaino’s arrest, the investigation led to the issuance of two residential search warrants at a residence on Neptune Avenue in Beachwood and a room at the Howard Johnson Motel in Toms River. In addition, a search warrant was conducted on a vehicle that Garulle and Restaino were in possession of.
As a result of the search warrant executions, Garulle and Restaino were found to be possession of numerous illegal firearms, specifically, defaced handguns, handguns containing no serial numbers (ghost guns), rifles, and shotguns, in addition to possessing high capacity magazines, various amounts of ammunition, methamphetamine, and a substantial amount of U.S. currency.
Ultimately, Garulle was charged with 2C:35-10a(1) Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of 2C:39-3j Possession of Large Capacity Magazines, four counts of 2C:39-3n Possession of a Firearm Without a Serial Number, four counts of 2C:39-5c(1) Unlawful Possession of Rifles/Shotguns, 2C:39-7b(1) Certain Persons Not to Have Weapon, 2C:39-3d Possession of a Defaced Firearm, and 2C:39-9(m) Distribution an Undetectable Firearm.
Restaino was charged with 2C:35-10a(1) Possession of Methamphetamine, two counts of 2C:39-3j Possession of Large Capacity Magazines, four counts of 2C:39-3n Possession of Firearm Without a Serial Number, four counts of 2C:39-5c(1) Unlawful Possession of Rifles/Shotguns, 2C:39-3d Possession of a Defaced Firearm, and 2C:39-9(m) Distribution of an Undetectable Firearm.
After being processed at Stafford Township Police Department Headquarters, Garulle and Restaino were issued criminal complaint warrants and transported to Ocean County Jail pending a future detention hearing scheduled by the Ocean County Superior Court.
As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of the defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The Stafford Township Police Department would like to thank the New Jersey State Police Crime Suppression South Unit and the Ocean County Narcotics Strike Force Unit for their continued assistance in cooperative investigations.