Corson's Inlet Catch: 31 Rounds of Bullets and One Felon

A felon dropped his magazine at the beach on Sunday, and the bit of clumsiness resulted in his arrest, police reported on Monday.

The magazine in question didn't include any news or gossip—it was a handgun magazine loaded with 31 rounds of 9 millimeter bullets.

A citizen reported finding the loaded magazine on the beach near the causeway bridge by the boat ramp at Corson’s Inlet State Park. The person reported the find to the Ocean City Police Department at about 9 a.m. on Sunday (Sept. 11).

Later that day, Thomas W. Foyle, 30, of Ocean City, returned to the beach looking for his lost magazine, according to a statement from Ocean City Police Capt. Steven Ang.

The magazine had inadvertently fallen out of his pocket the night before while walking along the beach, police said they learned in their interrogation of Foyle. 

Ang said he police did not know the exact circumstances of what brought Foyle to the beach at night carrying a loaded magazine, and he did not release information about Foyle's prior conviction(s).

Foyle consented to allow the officers to search a residence in the 5600 block of Central Avenue to recover the loaded handgun associated with the magazine found on the beach, Ang said.

Also recovered at the residence were three “loaded magazines” with an additional 15 9mm rounds in each, Ang said. New Jersey law prohibits handgun magazines that hold more than seven rounds, he said.

The weapon recovered was a Heckler and Koch USP (universal self-loading pistol), Ang said.

Foyle was taken into custody without incident following the search and transported to police headquarters. An arrest warrant was authorized by Judge Richard Russell, in the amount of $15,000 full cash bail. 

The investigation was conducted by Ptl. Doug Swillo, Sgt. John Mazzuca and Det. Mark Pancoast.

Foyle is charged with possession of a weapon by a felon, possession of a prohibited magazine and unlawful possession handgun.