Man, 19, sought in officer's slaying

LAKEWOOD, N.J. - Police are hunting for a 19-year-old man they say fatally shot an officer who had driven up beside him and started to question him.

Jahmell W. Crockam, who had also been sought for illegal-weapons charges, faces murder charges in the killing of Lakewood Patrolman Christopher Matlosz on Friday. Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford said Crockam is known by the street name "Sav" - short for "Savage."

Authorities say the 27-year-old Matlosz drove up to Crockam as Crockam was walking and began speaking with him when the suspect suddenly stepped back, pulled out a handgun, and shot the officer three times. The shooter ran off, and Matlosz was rushed to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where he died in the trauma unit.

More than 100 local, county, state, and federal officers searched the neighborhood overnight, at times barging into homes at gunpoint and ordering inhabitants to get on the floor.

Ford warned the public that Crockam is considered armed and dangerous.

A reward for the suspect's capture is now up to $117,000. He was described as a black male, 5-foot-6 or 5-foot-7, stockily built with sunken eyes and puffy cheeks. He was wearing a black hoodie and dark jeans slung so low that gray boxer shorts were visible, according to a witness account to police.

A massive show of force was on display at Lakewood police headquarters Saturday, including a black armored vehicle similar to those used in war zones. Officers wearing body armor stood clutching automatic weapons, police dogs at their side.

Even before the shooting, Crockam was being sought on illegal-weapons charges. On Dec. 29, the prosecutor's office obtained an arrest warrant for him on charges of possessing an illegal rifle and hollow-point bullets.

Authorities would not say what type of ammunition was used in the officer's killing.

A murder weapon had not been recovered, Ford said.

A person who answered the telephone at Crockam's parents' house in Lakewood hung up when a reporter called Saturday afternoon seeking comment.

Officers were struggling with their emotions while trying to focus on the task of catching his killer.

"Everyone is remaining professional," said Capt. Thomas Hayes of the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. "This really is an intense investigation."

"It's devastating," Lakewood Police Chief Robert Lawson said. "We are a law enforcement family. This is like someone in your family being killed. All the officers are feeling it very deeply."

Matlosz was conducting "a routine stop" of the suspect, chatting with him for a few minutes, Ford said, leading authorities to believe the two may have been acquainted.

Matlosz was engaged to be married next year. He is survived by his mother and a brother.