A Pleasantville detective's relentless pursuit is being credited with the arrests of a man and woman in an Egg Harbor Township man's overdose death.
Robert Jones, 35, was found unresponsive Feb. 22, 2020, in the bathroom of a Pleasantville restaurant on North Main Street, Lt. Stacey Schlachter said.
He died at the hospital five days later, "ending his battles with addiction,” his obituary said.
Detective Astrid Aurelus' investigation included interviews, reviewing surveillance footage from multiple locations, extracting cell phone data, using GPS data, county jail interview and, reviews of autopsy and toxicology reports, Schlachter said.
Aurelus also collaborated with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office and FBI, leading to the arrests of two men.
Charles Smith, 69, and Jamie Franco, 40, both of Pleasantville, are charged with first-degree strict liability drug-induced death, conspiracy, possession of heroin/fentanyl, distribution of heroin/fentanyl, distribution within a school zone, distribution within 500 feet of public housing.
Smith also goes by Pompy or Poppy.
Jones was a father of four.
