Ocean County, NJ man accused of sexually assaulting teen in Brigantine, police say
A Manahawkin man was charged in connection to an incident in Brigantine where he's accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.
Brigantine Police said that 55-year old Thomas Aljian Jr. was found in a car with a juvenile under the age of 16-years old at the Brigantine Observation Tower around 4:00 am on June 10.
Aljian initially fled the scene when an officer said he approached the vehicle to investigate after reportedly seeing suspicious activity taking place, according to police.
In the process of investigating what allegedly happened, police said that Aljian gave them an incorrect name at first, something they were able to confirm as well as that he is the owner of the vehicle they spotted.
Police also said that at the station they identified the juvenile in the vehicle was a male teen between 13 and 16-years old.
Upon further investigation into the alleged actions, police said that they found evidence of sexual acts having taken place in the vehicle between Aljian and the minor.
Aljian Jr. was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a person who is at least 13 years old but less than 16 years old and 3rd Degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
He remains in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Brigantine Polcie Detective Powderley at (609) 266-7600 extension 270 or at jpowderley@brigantinebeachnj.com.
