Trespasser Freed From Pipe At United Water Plant In New Jersey, Faces Criminal Charges
MANALAPAN, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Rescuers have freed a man who had been stuck for hours in a pipe at a water treatment plant in New Jersey.
Officials told CBS 2 around 11:30 a.m. that 26-year-old Asef Mohamed, of Manalapan, had been freed and airlifted to an area hospital. He was 10 to 12 feet down the pipe, which was not in use, WCBS 880's Levon Putney reported.
United Water spokesman Rich Henning said Mohamed broke into the plant that treats and pumps water for the township of Manalapan. Workers heard cries for help coming from the pipe around 7 a.m. Friday.
"This was a person that purposely climbed a six-foot fence with three or four layers of barbed wire on top," Henning said.
United Water officials said they have no idea why Mohamed did it, but are now looking at ways to tighten up security, Putney reported.
Manalapan police announced Friday afternoon that Mohamed is being charged with fourth-degree criminal trespassing and may face additional charges as the investigation continues, CBS 2's Steve Langford reported.
Henning said the outflow pipe is used for cleaning a storage facility and is no more than 24 inches wide. He said the water quality was not affected by the incident.
Manalapan's mayor told CBS 2 the town is considering the possibility of having Mohamed pay for the cost of the rescue operation.
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