Brick Police Chief James Riccio and Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato held a press release to announce the detainment of Timothy Baker 26, of Jackson, NJ who is suspected of having a connection with the drug-induced death of Thomas Palazzolo, 26 of Brick County New Jersey.
Detective Brian Farnkopf of the Brick Police Department, and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit Det. John Carroll officially signed a criminal complaint against Mr. Timothy Baker for possession of heroin, possession with the intention to sell heroin, distribution of heroin, and for strict liability of a drug induced death. Mr. Baker has been incarcerated since January 31st 2017 at the Ocean County Correctional Facility on prior narcotics charges related to the case.
The arrest stems from the January 27th, 2017 investigation into the death of Thomas Palazzolo. On the morning of the 27th at approximately 9:47 am the Brick Township Police Department received a 911 phone call for an unresponsive Mr. Palazzolo. Brick Police Officers arrived to an unconscious Thomas on his bedroom floor where there were evident signs of an overdose. Brick Officers sprung into action immediately applying life saving measures unfortunately ending in no result. Mr. Thomas Palazzolo was pronounced deceased on January 27th, 2017 at 10:07am. As per the Ocean County Prosecutor’s directive, the Brick Police officers contacted the Ocean County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Unit and the Ocean County Prosecutors Major Crimes Unit to conduct a more intense investigation ultimately leading them back to Timothy Baker. The Ocean County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy, which confirmed that Mr. Palazzolo’s death was drug induced.
The investigation was conducted as a collaborated investigation between: Ocean County Major Crimes Unit, Ocean County Special Operations Group, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and the Brick Police Department. Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato stated “the Ocean County Prosecutors Office will continue to lead the way in developing Strict Liability/Drug Induced Death cases. It’s critical during this opiate crisis we take strong punitive measures against dealers bringing death to those fighting addiction
