Bayville Man Faces Slew Of Charges In Fast-Paced Foot Chase Through Island Heights

A 37-year-old Bayville man, who was thought to be in possession of a handgun, lead police on a fast-paced, foot pursuit through residential yards in Island Heights Saturday night.

William C. Defeis, a recent borough resident before moving to Bayville, was apprehended at approximately 10:51 p.m., said Island Heights Patrolman Luke Tirondola.

The incident began with a 911 call, which was placed at about 10:21 p.m., alerting police to a male with a gun at the River Avenue Pavilion, Tirondola said.

Tirondola said he initially pulled his patrol car a half block away from the pavilion where Defeis was located, while he waited for backup from Toms River police.

But at that point Defeis hopped on his motorcycle "and headed towards me," he said.

The motorcycle had no license plates and Defeis heeded Tirondola's orders to stop.

While holding him at gunpoint, Defeis ignored Tirondola's repeated orders to drop to the ground even to the point of reaching into his jacket and taking it off, Tirondola said.

Defeis, who was dressed all in black, then took off running.

Toms River police immediately pulled up, Tirondola said, and a two-block radius of Jaynes Avenue to Oak Avenue and Lake Avenue to Summit Avenue was blocked off.

Also responding were the Toms River canine unit, the Ocean County Sheriff's Department canine unit and two Berkeley Township units.

The Toms River canine unit found Defeis on the final block that was searched, said Tirondola.

Upon his arrest, Defeis was found not to be in possession of a gun.

"When he was being processed we found a live round in his book bag," said Tirondola.

The live round was for a 9 milimeter luger handgun, according to Tirondola.

Defeis denied being in possession of a handgun, Tirondola said.

Defeis faces charges of eluding a police officer, obstruction of justice and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

The case in still under investigation and more charges are pending.

Six motor vehicle tickets were issued, some of which include driving a motorcycle with no license plates and no registration and driving while on the suspended list.

Bail was set at $2500, with no 10 percent. Defeis is currently housed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.