HOWELL TOWNSHIP, NJ — (RELEASE) — On April 6, 2017 Howell Township Police arrested 18 year old Moamen Abdelmeguid and his 16 year-old juvenile accomplice, both of Marlboro. Both were charged with kidnapping, terroristic threats, burglary, simple assault and drug related offenses.
Abdelmeguid and his accomplice came to the Windmill Club development in Howell on April 6 at approximately 6:30pm with the intent to purchase drugs from Joseph Arnold, 19 years old of Howell. Abdelmeguid and his accomplice gave Arnold money for drugs but Arnold took the money and fled without providing the drugs. Infuriating Abdelmeguid and his accomplice, they went looking for Arnold to get their drugs or get their money back. In doing so, Abdelmeguid and his accomplice went back to what they thought was Arnold’s house (Arnold intentionally gave them the wrong address), when in fact it was the victim’s house, who has no relationship whatsoever to any of the involved parties.
At the victim’s home, the suspects grabbed the victim in a “choke hold” and forced him into the back of their car against his will. They then threatened to shoot the suspect if he didn’t turn Arnold over to them. The victim insisted he did not know Arnold but the suspects drove the victim around the neighborhood for about five minutes, looking for Arnold.
They returned to the victim’s house and forced the victim to allow them into his home to search for Arnold, who they never located. They then left the area. The victim immediately responded to headquarters to notify police. Ptlm. Conaty, who was on patrol at the time, conducted a motor vehicle stop on their vehicle for suspicious activity – not knowing what had just transpired. He eventually searched their vehicle and arrested both of them for possession of drug paraphernalia. The connection was made after the victim arrived at police headquarters.
The victim did not sustain any injuries in the assault. Abdelmeguid was transferred to Monmouth County Correctional Institute. The juvenile was released to his parents. Arnold was located by detectives and ultimately charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled dangerous substance and theft.
