Manchester Township, NJ – A visit to the privately-owned 7,000-acre Heritage Mineral property on Monday evening resulted in the tragic drowning of Victor Arias-Peralta, an 18-year-old from Perth Amboy Township.
The incident occurred around 6:00 p.m. when Arias-Peralta, along with several individuals, unlawfully entered the property and attempted to swim in Crystal Lake.
Arias-Peralta and a friend were crossing the lake when he showed signs of severe fatigue and distress about twenty yards from the shore.
Despite efforts from friends to assist him, Arias-Peralta submerged underwater and disappeared in the current.
Emergency responders, including the Manchester Township Police Department, Manchester Township EMS, Manchester, Ridgeway, and Whiting Volunteer Fire Departments, and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit, conducted search and rescue operations for approximately forty-five minutes.
Arias-Peralta was eventually located unresponsive and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Preliminary investigations indicate the drowning was accidental.
The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigation Unit and the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office are assisting with the investigation. Witnesses who were at Crystal Lake during the incident are urged to contact Detective Victoria Guarino of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 732-657-2009 ext. 4201.
The Manchester Township Police Department reminds the public that the Heritage Mineral site, also known as “ASARCO,” is private property and closed to recreational use.
Entering or remaining on the property is a criminal offense, and violators are subject to significant fines and penalties, including incarceration. The police department urges everyone to heed the “No Trespassing” signs posted at the site for their safety.
