Man charged after Jersey Shore parade cancelled due to suspicious device

A 56-year-old Brick Township man has been charged with possession of a destructive device, lying to police and other offenses after the discovery of a suspicious device led to the cancelation of a St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Keansburg, New Jersey.

According to police, Christopher Otis, 56, of Brick Township in Ocean County, has been charged after he, allegedly, called police at about 10:45 a.m. on March 28, 2026, to report that he found a suspicious device.

Officials said Otis — who identified himself as the Fire Safety and Environmental Compliance Officer for Brookdale Community College — contacted police and claimed he had discovered a suspicious device along the beach, just off a walking path, in the area of Beachway and Bayview avenues.

Responding officers discovered this device in a staging area for participants in the community’s scheduled St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In an abundance of caution, officials noted, the parade was cancelled following the discovery of this device.

However, follow up investigation found “conflicting accounts” of Otis’ involvement with this suspicious device, officials said.

Police did not immediately detail just what the suspicious device in this incident turned out to be.

But, Otis has been arrested and charged in this incident.

Police said he was being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution as he awaits an upcoming court appearance.