Brick Man Charged for Planting Suspicious Device at Keansburg Parade

Christopher J. Otis accused of creating false public alarm and providing false information to police.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a small, homemade explosive device against a pitch-black background, capturing the stark, gritty details of the object in dramatic lighting to conceptually represent the suspicious device that led to the parade cancellation.A recent wave of suspicious device reports has disrupted community events, exposing the need for heightened security and thorough investigations.Lincroft Today

A 56-year-old Brick man named Christopher J. Otis has been charged with planting a suspicious device near the staging area of the Keansburg St. Patrick's Day Parade, leading to the event's cancellation. Otis initially called police to report the device, identifying himself as the fire safety and environmental compliance officer at Brookdale Community College, but investigators later found inconsistencies in his account.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the serious consequences of creating false public alarms, which can lead to major disruptions and drain law enforcement resources. It also raises questions about security protocols for community events and the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth.

The details

On March 28, Keansburg police responded to a report of a suspicious device near the parade staging area at Beachway and Bayview Avenues. Otis had called in the report, claiming he found the device while serving in his self-described role as the fire safety and environmental compliance officer at Brookdale Community College. The device was described as homemade and rudimentary. An investigation by the prosecutor's office, Keansburg Police, and the FBI found that Otis gave conflicting accounts of his involvement, leading to his arrest on charges of creating a false public alarm, possessing a destructive device, and providing false information to police.

  • On March 28, 2026, Keansburg police responded to the report of a suspicious device near the parade staging area around 10:45 a.m.
  • The parade was cancelled due to the police investigation and search of the area.

The players

Christopher J. Otis

A 56-year-old Brick resident who was charged with planting a suspicious device near the Keansburg St. Patrick's Day Parade, leading to its cancellation.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago

The prosecutor who announced the charges against Otis.

Keansburg Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the initial report and conducted the investigation with the prosecutor's office and FBI.

Brookdale Community College

The college where Otis claimed to work as the fire safety and environmental compliance officer, a role he cited when reporting the suspicious device.

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What they’re saying

“The incident highlights the serious consequences of creating false public alarms, which can lead to major disruptions and drain law enforcement resources.”

— Raymond S. Santiago, Monmouth County Prosecutor

What’s next

Otis is being held in the Monmouth County Jail and is awaiting future court proceedings related to the charges.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of thorough investigations to uncover the truth behind suspicious incidents, as well as the need for robust security protocols and community vigilance to ensure the safety of public events.