ALLENTOWN — It was not a merry Christmas for two people who were injured in a dispute that occurred on the evening of Dec. 26, 2011, in Allentown.
The nearly 2-year-old matter is in the news now because a man wanted in connection with his alleged participation in the Allentown dispute was nabbed in a bar in Newark several weeks ago.
A press release issued by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on May 29 confirmed the date of the incident, but provided no further details about what occurred in the borough on the day after Christmas 2011.
On May 17 the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office reported that Brieon Thurston, 31, who was wanted in connection with the Allentown incident, had been arrested in Newark on May 16.
Sheriff Shaun Golden’s press release termed the 2011 incident a double shooting and stabbing.
The prosecutor’s May 29 press release termed the 2011 incident in Allentown a dispute.
Neither law enforcement agency provided any details about the people who were injured.
Two men now sit in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, awaiting disposition of the charges levied against them.
Brieon Thurston, whose last known address was on Hollywood Drive, Hamilton Township, was arrested on May 16 in Newark on warrants related to charges of second-degree weapons offenses, possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree aggravated assault, according to the prosecutor’s office. His bail has been set at $100,000, cash only.
On Dec. 26, 2011, members of the Allentown Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the dispute that left two people injured, according to the prosecutor’s press release.
Charges were filed against Brieon Thurston and his brother Neemiah Thurston, 33, at the time of the offense.
Neemiah Thurston was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, unlawful possession of a weapon (handgun) and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to a database search of Monmouth County jail inmates.
Neemiah Thurston has been incarcerated in the county jail since his arrest on Dec. 30, 2011. His bail is listed at $200,000 for the charge of aggravated assault with a firearm.
According to the press release from the sheriff’s office, Brieon Thurston is believed to have fled New Jersey in the wake of the incident and had been living elsewhere the past few years.