Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and South Toms River Borough Police Chief Andrew Izatt today announced the arrest of Marcus Samuels, 26, of Bayville, NJ. Samuels is charged with murder, one count of Possession of a Firearm, one count of Possession of a Firearm for Unlawful Purpose, one count of Certain Persons (Convicted Felon) Prohibited from Possessing a Firearm in the death of Wille Z. Love 3rd, 27, of Bayville.
The murder charge stems from a call on June 8, 2015 at 10:55 pm, when Toms River Police Department responded to Community Medical Center for a report of a male victim with a gunshot wound. The victim, Wille Z. Love 3rd, was subsequently pronounced dead at 11:27 pm hours by Dr. Bernard from Community Medical Center.
The responding Officers notified OCPO Major Crimes Unit Det. John Carroll and OC Sheriff’s Department CSI who responded as part of the continuing investigation. Preliminary information at the time indicated the incident had taken place in South Toms River, NJ. The above mentioned agencies, along with the South Toms River Police Department, were tasked with the investigation.
On June 12, 2015, while loved ones gathered for the victims memorial services, South Toms River Police Det. Tim Meier and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit Det. John Carroll presented the results of the partnering agencies investigation to the Honorable Judge James Blaney in order to secure two arrest warrants. The first for Marcus Samuels, and an additional arrest warrant for Jennifer Rauscher, 21, of Bayville. Rausher is charged with 2nd Degree Hindering the Apprehension of Samuels.
It is alleged Mr. Love died as the result of a single shot fired by Marcus Samuels into the vehicle the victim was driving in the area of Dover Road and the Garden State Parkway in South Toms River. An autopsy conducted by Ocean County Medical Examiner Ian Hood found Mr. Love died as the result of a gunshot which entered his shoulder and chest. The manner of death is declared a homicide. It is alleged further that Jennifer Rauscher hindered the investigation by providing false information to the investigating detectives.
Samuels was taken into custody yesterday (6/12) at 7:54 pm at the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Samuels knowing the Detectives had a warrant for his arrest, chose to turn himself in accompanied by his attorney, Mr. Terrance Turnbach. His bail was set at one (1) million dollars cash only. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail in Lieu of bail.
Detectives Meier and Carroll took Jennifer Rauscher into custody at 12:30 pm yesterday (6/12) at her parents residence in Bayville. Her bail was set at $100,000 with no 10% option. She was processed at South Toms River Police Headquarters and released on bail.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. See Marcus Samuels photo next page.
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