By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Ocean County announced a visit to a popular privately-owned 7000-acre tract of land in Manchester on Monday evening ended tragically for an 18-year-old Perth Amboy Township man.
Victor Arias-Peralta, who unlawfully visited the Heritage Mineral property and attempted to swim in the lake with other individuals around 6:00 p.m, officials stated. 
Officials said that Arias-Peralta and a friend were attempting to cross Crystal Lake when Arias-Peralta appeared to suffer from severe fatigue and went into distress approximately twenty yards from the shoreline.
Friends went to the aid of Arias- Peralta who eventually submerged underwater and disappeared in the current, according to officials.
The Manchester Township Police Department, with the assistance of the Manchester Township EMS, the Manchester, Ridgeway, and Whiting Volunteer Fire Departments, and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, responded to the scene, where search and rescue operations were conducted for approximately forty-five minutes before Arias—Peralta was located unresponsive, officials said.
Authorities say he was pulled from the water, where he was pronounced deceased, and the preliminary investigation indicates the drowning to be accidental.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office are assisting with this investigation, officials said.
Anyone who may have been at “Crystal Lake” and witnessed this incident is asked to contact Detective Victoria Guarino of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 732-657-2009 ext. 4201, officials stated.
The Manchester Township Police Department would like to remind the public that the Heritage Minerals or “ASARCO” site is private property. It is closed for recreational and/or other use, and it is a criminal offense to enter or remain on the property, authorities say.
In the interest of public safety, officials stated that the Manchester Township Police urge everyone to obey the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the site.
Officials say trespassers are subject to substantial fines and penalties, including incarceration for being on the property.