by KYW's Pat Loeb 

New Jersey authorities have charged a Main Line dentist with dumping hypodermic needles and other medical supplies that closed beaches in Avalon and other shore towns over the past two weeks.

Thomas McFarland, whose home and office are in Wynnewood, Pa., has been charged with unlawful discharge of a pollutant and unlawful disposal of regulated medical waste (see previous stories).
 
McFarland also has a home near Avalon.

Authorities say he went to Avalon police on Tuesday and admitted dumping the needles. He was arrested after a search of his home and boat in New Jersey and his Wynnewood office.

What's still a mystery is why he did it. Sources say he has not given a reason and is reported to be under psychiatric care. His attorney could not be reached for comment.

Avalon mayor Martin Pagliughi says he is relieved that the culprit has been found:
 
"We feel very good about it, that it was resolved quickly. We had no doubt from the beginning that this was a separate incident of the other medical waste washing up, and we are glad that we've been able to bring this to a head without the fear of the people worrying about this in the future."

Pagliughi had suspected right from the start that the waste had been dumped intentionally, and he asked the county and state to assist in the investigation:

"We're pretty enthusiastic about the way the state attorney general's office worked with the Avalon police in tracking this thing down as fast as they did."