Driver charged with driving under the influence and drug possession after submitting a report of reckless driving

Jackson, NJ – Jackson Township officials are shocked and angry after three men accused of attempted murder on Larsen Road earlier this summer were released from jail under New Jersey's bail reform law.

The three men, Noah Phelp, 24, Grann Franzon, 32, and Michael Vulpis, 26, attacked a 27-year-old victim and shot him in the face. The victim survived, but this week Ocean County District Attorney Bradley Bilhimer announced that a New Jersey judge had released two of the men involved after their preliminary hearings.

A third is no longer on the inmate list. Jackson officials were dismayed by the news.

“Our city has been named one of the safest communities year after year, and that is thanks to the hard work of our local law enforcement officers and our citizens,” said Mayor Michael Reina. “Governor Murphy's revolving door of justice, which lets violent criminals out of jail hours and days after they are charged, makes not only Jackson, but all of New Jersey, an unsafe place.”

Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, was indicted by an Ocean County grand jury on September 18, 2024, on charges of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, being a person prohibited from possessing a weapon or ammunition, and conspiracy to tamper with a witness, all in connection with an incident that occurred on June 27, 2024, in Jackson Township.

“This action limits the ability of our brave police officers to do their jobs and keep Jackson safe,” said Jackson City Councilman Mordy Burnstein. “It is unbelievable that anyone can be involved in such a brutal attack and still be allowed to walk back on the streets. Our community and our dedicated police officers deserve better. Unfortunately, as they say, elections have consequences, and bail reform is not working for anyone except New Jersey's criminals.”

Additionally, 24-year-old Noah Phelps of Monroe Township was charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder, and 32-year-old Glenn Franzson of Jackson Township was charged with conspiracy to tamper with witnesses, possession of a firearm without a serial number, possession of a high-capacity ammunition magazine, possession of cocaine and possession of methamphetamine, all in connection with the same incident.

“The three offenders who beat and shot a man in the face on Larsen Road in Jackson should be in jail. Under New Jersey's bail reform, the criminals were recently released,” said Jackson City Councilman Nino Borrelli. “We hear stories like this across the state. New Jersey's bail reform is making some of the state's safest cities, like Jackson, even less safe and preventing our police from effectively fighting crime. Dangerous criminals should remain in jail until their trial, not be released to potentially commit more violent crimes. This is an insane policy and must be reversed by the state.”

On June 27, 2024, at approximately 12:20 a.m., officers with the Jackson Township Police Department responded to the Larsen Road area for a report of a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers found a 27-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the face. The victim was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune for treatment of his injuries; he was treated and subsequently released.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit, Jackson Township Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff's Office revealed that the victim and a woman were sitting in a parked vehicle in front of a residence on Larsen Road. A blue sedan then parked in front of the vehicle, blocking the driveway. Two men exited the blue sedan, approached the vehicle, and knocked on the window. As the victim exited the vehicle, one of the attackers began to beat him. During the attack, one of the attackers shot the victim in the face. The attackers then fled the area.

Further investigation revealed that Michael Vulpis, 26, of Freehold Borough, was the one who shot the victim. On July 3, 2024, Vulpis was taken into custody at his residence without incident and charged with attempted murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, and being a specified person prohibited from possessing a weapon. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he has been housed since his arrest.

Further investigation revealed that Phelps was the second assailant involved in the attack on the victim and that Phelps and Vulpis conspired to attack him. As a result, on August 15, 2024, Phelps was charged with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder; a warrant was issued for his arrest and his name was entered into the National Crime Information Center database. On August 16, 2024, Phelps turned himself in to the Freehold Township Police Department. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail and subsequently released under New Jersey's bail reform laws.