Stabbing in Toms River: Ocean County Man Arrested

Toms River Police Seek Public's Help in Locating Assault Suspect

Stabbing in Toms River: Ocean County Man Arrested

According to authorities on Friday, a man who had been wanted by Toms River police since July 31 for stabbing a healthcare worker has been taken into custody.

Just before 3 p.m. on Thursday, an off-duty Lacey Township police officer noticed Christopher Therien, 33, at 25 Route 9 South in Manahawkin, according to Stafford Township police.

According to Stafford Police, Therien resides in Jackson. Toms River police had charged him of aggravated assault. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the Toms River incident, but Stafford police stated that the charge was related to the stabbing.

Stafford police were able to verify that Therien was the wanted person by looking at his tattoos, despite Therien's fraudulent statements about his identification, according to the police. Therien fled as the authorities attempted to arrest him, but they apprehended him right away.

He persisted in resisting arrest, according to Stafford police, but was eventually put into prison.

According to court documents, two firearms were found during a search, including a sawed-off shotgun, a knife, and an unknown quantity of ammunition, police said.

After receiving care for his injuries sustained during the arrest at Southern Ocean Medical Center, Thieren was brought to Ocean County Jail, where he is currently being held until a detention hearing.

Stafford police have accused him of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, obstructing justice, unlawful firearm possession, unlawful firearm possession by a prohibited person, and resisting arrest.

He is also charged with aggravated assault inflicting serious bodily injury, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unauthorized possession of a weapon, and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, according to Ocean County jail records. Police in Toms River have been asked for information regarding the stabbing incident that led to the charges.