Man, 55, Charged With Sexual Assault of a Minor in Brigantine

Brigantine Police arrested a 55-year-old Manahawkin man on sexual assault with minor charges after an incident early Saturday, June 10th.

In a Facebook post, Brigantine Police detailed how officers, out on patrol on a property check at 4 am at the Brigantine Observation Tower, saw a vehicle parked in the darkness behind the observation tower.

An officer checking on the vehicle saw two people inside involved in what they thought was suspicious activity.

At this time, one of the people in the vehicle got out and ran and was pursued by police. He was apprehended in the area of the Brigantine sea wall and taken into custody. He would not provide a correct name or age.

The driver of the vehicle, Thomas G. Aljian, Jr, 55, of Manahawkin -- the owner of the vehicle -- was identified and sent on his way.

Back at the police station, officers were able to correctly identify the male that they apprehended and determined that he was a juvenile under the age of 16.

Through their investigation, police were able to determine that the two people in the vehicle were engaging in sexual activity just prior to police finding them.

Thomas G. Aljian, Jr was then charged with second and third-degree sexual assault of a minor and endangering the welfare of a child.

Aljian, Jr. was arrested and is being held in the Atlantic County Justice facility.

If you have any information about this case, contact Det. Powderley at (609) 266-7600 ext. 270 or at jpowderley@brigantinebeachnj.com.