Cops find 35 men at Lakewood religious school, charge 2 with violating N.J. coronavirus lockdown
Lakewood NJ April 1 2020 Two men were charged after hosting a large gathering at a school for talmudic study in Lakewood that defied the state’s coronavirus social distancing rules, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said.
David Gluck, 42, and Abraham Haberfeld, 32, both of Lakewood, were each charged with maintaining a nuisance after police broke up a gathering of 35 people inside the Bais Horaah of Lakewood on Madison Avenue on Monday morning.
The building, which is owned by Gluck and managed by Haberfield, houses an Orthodox school and basement banquet hall, according to the Asbury Park Press.
The men are accused of violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order from earlier this month that bans large gatherings, such as weddings and parties.
“We will continue to enforce Executive Order 107. Nothing short of 100% compliance will be tolerated. Stay home and practice social distancing, and please have some consideration for our law enforcement officers,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement.
Police have broken up a number of large gatherings in Lakewood this month, including at least three weddings and a lawn party of 40 to 50 people.
As of Sunday afternoon, there were 371 COVID-19 cases in Lakewood, among the highest totals in the state. Ocean County had 835 cases.
