By: Richard L. Smith
On Thursday, Ocean County officials reported Mr. Patrick Pennell, 55, of Toms River, was indicted by a Grand Jury sitting in Ocean County on charges of Bias Intimidation and Criminal Mischief, in connection with an incident that occurred in Toms River on November 22, 2022.
According to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer officers from the Toms River Township Police responded to a residence on Parisian Drive for a report of a disturbance in progress.
Upon arrival, responding officers discovered a vehicle with a shattered driver’s side window parked in the driveway of the residence.
A subsequent investigation revealed that the victim was visiting an acquaintance at the residence when Pennell - a neighbor of the acquaintance - approached him and became confrontational.
Prosecutor Billhimer said Pennell proceeded to make racial and homophobic slurs to the victim.
As the victim was trying to leave, Prosecutor Billhimer said Pennell punched the driver’s side window of the victim’s vehicle, causing it to shatter.
Pennell was taken into custody and transported to Toms River Township Police Headquarters.
He was processed and charged on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.