Police arrest two men wielding knife, gun

LONG BRANCH – City police arrested two men last week in the area of the Garfield Court housing complex on Central Avenue.

On Sept. 12, at approximately 11:15 p.m., police responded to the area of the housing complex for a report of a domestic dispute.

Upon arrival, police arrested Tyrell Wright, 30, and charged him with burglary, criminal mischief under domestic violence and unlawful possession of a weapon.

According to police, witnesses told officers that Wright was angry that his former girlfriend was seeing another man and allegedly broke into her apartment and caused extensive damage.

Family members of Wright’s ex-girlfriend said that Wright had fled the apartment with a knife and was looking for the new boyfriend in the area, police said.

Wright was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) in Freehold Township and bail was set at $20,000 with no 10 percent option.

On the same evening, police received a report from a concerned citizen that a man was in the same area with a gun.

Police identified the man as Juan Benitez, 30, Lakewood, and arrested and charged him with obstruction, unlawful possession of a weapon, unlawful possession of a handgun, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to police reports.

Benitez was transported to MCCI and bail was set at $80,000 with no 10 percent option.

– Christine Varno