Weekly Police Blotter

Burglary / Criminal Mischief / Theft – On Sunday, February 12, 2023, at 12:49 a.m., officers responded to a residence on the 700 block of Roanoke Drive, Forked River, for a report of a burglary that had just occurred. Upon their arrival, officers spoke with the complainant who explained that they heard someone yelling then something that sounded like glass breaking a short time earlier.  The complainant advised that they looked outside and observed a tall, thin male enter a late model pickup truck, unknown make or model, then drive away.  The complainant discovered the front door of the residence open, and numerous pieces of their property strewn in the street in front of the home.  Officers checked the residence and discovered a shattered window.  The Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to process the scene.  Items valued at approximately $4,000.00 were determined to have been stolen from the residence, and approximately $2,000.00 in damage was caused to the residence.  This investigation is ongoing.

Burglary / Criminal Mischief / Theft – On Monday, February 13, 2023 at 12:29 p.m., officers responded to a residence on the 700 block of Roanoke Drive, Forked River for a report of a burglary. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a broken window on the side of the residence and observed the interior of the home to be ransacked.  Officers spoke with the owner who reported numerous items had been taken from within the home.  The Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to process the scene.  This investigation is ongoing.

Burglary / Criminal Mischief / Theft – On Monday, February 13, 2023, at approximately 1:00 p.m., officers discovered apparent forced entry to a residence on the 700 block of Roanoke Drive, Forked River while conducting a canvass of the neighborhood.  Officers observed a shattered rear window on the back of the residence, and found an open entry door.  Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit responded to process the scene.  This investigation is ongoing.

DWI – On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 2:35 p.m., Officer Ricciardella conducted a motor vehicle stop on Station Drive near Route 9 after this agency received a report regarding a possible intoxicated driver.  Officer Ricciardella met with the driver, Jason Becker, 42, of Forked River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Jason was driving while intoxicated.  Jason was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters, and processed.  Jason was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI and Reckless Driving, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Simple Assault / Disorderly Conduct – On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 5:45 p.m., officers responded to the Lacey Inn, 229 North Main Street, Forked River, for a report of a female chasing a male around the property.  Upon their arrival, officers met with the complainant, who advised that another guest of the motel punched him in the face and spit on him.  Officers then met with the suspect, Robyn Geneski, 36, of Seaside Heights and discussed the incident.  Investigation at the scene resulted in Robyn being charged with Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct.  Robyn was issued special complaint summonses for the aforementioned offenses and released pending a future court date.

DWI – On Friday, December 30, 2022, at 8:46 p.m., Officers Spina and Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop near Beach Boulevard and Route 9 for failure to observe a traffic signal.  Officers met with the driver, Eugene Reilly, 57, of Forked River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Eugene was driving while intoxicated.  Eugene was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters, and processed.  Eugene was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Open Container, Failure to Observe Traffic Signal, and Failure to Maintain Lane, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Motor Vehicle Stop / Warrant Arrest – On Friday, December 30, 2022, at 10:56 p.m., Officer Swain conducted a motor vehicle stop on North Main Street for Improper Turn.    Officer Swain met with the driver, George Lacey, 47, of Waretown.  George was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Beachwood Municipal Court.  George was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  George was issued motor vehicle summonses for Improper Turn and Suspended Driver, and released on his own recognizance pending future court appearances.

Shoplifting – On Monday, January 2, 2023, at 2:52 p.m., Officer Nilon responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a male change the UPC codes on several pieces of merchandise, and subsequently under-ring the merchandise at the self-checkout, before attempting to leave the store.  The merchandise was valued at approximately $200.00.  Officers met with the suspect, Jerome Brigham, 34, of Bayville, and placed him under arrest.  Jerome was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, Altering a UPC, and Under-Ringing, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

Shoplifting – On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 7:21 p.m., Officer Ravallo responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised that they had observed two females fail to scan numerous items valued at $159.74 at the self-checkout, then leave the store without paying for the merchandise.  As of this time, the suspects have not been identified.

Residential Burglary / Criminal Mischief / Theft – On Friday, December 16, 2022, at 1:48 a.m., officers responded to a Biscayne Drive address for a report of a burglary.  Upon arrival, the homeowner advised officers that someone had entered their residence and stole property while they were out.  The initial investigation revealed that the suspect forced their way into the home through a window and removed items valued at approximately $100.00.  The home sustained damage valued at approximately $500.00.  This investigation is ongoing.

Suspicious Person / DWI – On Friday, December 16, 2022, at 11:31 a.m., officers responded to the 7-Eleven convenience store, Lacey Road, for a report of a suspicious person.  Upon arrival, officers observed the subject going in and out of consciousness while standing inside of the store.  Officers made contact with the subject, Michael Amico, 52, of Forked River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Michael had driven to the business while intoxicated.  Michael was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters, and processed.  Michael was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Test, Reckless Driving, and Obstructed Windshield, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

DWI – On Friday, December 16, 2022, at 9:00 p.m., Officer Watkins conducted a motor vehicle stop on South Main Street for failure to maintain lane.  Officer Watkins met with the driver, Taylor Hines, 34, of Waretown.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Taylor was driving while intoxicated.  Taylor was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters, and processed.  Taylor was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Test, and Reckless Driving, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

DWI / Motor Vehicle Crash – On Sunday, December 19, 2022, at 9:56 p.m., officers responded to the 700 block of Birch Road for a report of a single car motor vehicle crash.  Officers met with the driver of the vehicle, John Bulwin 2nd, 49, of Lanoka Harbor.  Investigation at the scene revealed that John was driving while intoxicated.  John was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  John was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Suspicious Person / Warrant Arrest – On Monday, December 19, 2022, at 9:03 p.m., Officers Holt and Swain responded to Caffery’s Tavern for a report of a suspicious male asking patrons for money.  Upon their arrival in the area, officers met with the subject, Curtis Thompson, 48, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Curtis was found to have outstanding warrants originating out of Stratford Borough and Lindenwold Township.  Curtis was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed on the warrants before being released on his own recognizance, pending future court appearances.

Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 9:56 a.m., Officer Carver responded to police headquarters and met with Christopher Mahoney, 33, of Bayville, reference a previous incident.  Christopher was found to have an active warrant originating out of the Howell Township Municipal Court, and was placed under arrest.  Christopher was later turned over to the Howell Township Police Department, without incident.

Shoplifting – On Thursday, December 8, 2022, at 4:44 p.m., Officers Biel and Tamburro responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a female attempt to leave the store without paying for $82.00 worth of merchandise.  Officers met with the suspect, Jalissa Dejesus, 25, of Bayville, and placed her under arrest.  Jalissa was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

DWI / Possession of CDS, Drug Paraphernalia – On Friday, December 9, 2022, at 02:50 a.m., Sergeant Hein conducted a motor vehicle stop on East Lacey Road for failure to maintain lane.  Sergeant Hein met with the driver, John Cekavic, 29, of Forked River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that John was driving while intoxicated.  John was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed.  John was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Open Container, and Failure to Maintain Lane, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Possession of CDS, Drug Paraphernalia – On Friday, December 9, 2022, at 8:24 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Falkenburgh Avenue for a report of a male screaming and hitting himself in the head while seated in a vehicle.  Officers later located the male in the Wawa parking lot, Lacey Road.  Officers met with the subject, Michael Costello, 33, of Barnegat.  During their investigation, officers discovered a quantity of CDS and drug paraphernalia inside of Michael’s vehicle.  Michael was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed.  Michael was charged with Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on a complaint summons.  He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for CDS in a Motor Vehicle and Failure to Inspect.  Michael was released pending future court appearances.

Shoplifting – On Sunday, December 11, 2022, at 7:32 p.m., officers responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a female under-ring $659.38 worth of merchandise in the self-checkout area before attempting to leave the store.  Officers met with the suspect, Sabrina Surita, 36, of Manahawkin, and placed her under arrest.  Sabrina was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

DWI / Motor Vehicle Crash – On Saturday, December 3, 2022, at 7:16 p.m., Officer Keefe located a single car crash at the intersection of Lacey Road and Railroad Avenue.  Officer Keefe met with the driver of the vehicle, Jennifer Knorr, 37, of Manahawkin.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Jennifer was driving while intoxicated.  Jennifer was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  Jennifer was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Open Container, and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Warrant Arrest – On Monday, December 5, 2022, at 9:55 p.m., Officer Ravallo responded to police headquarters to take a subject into custody who had turned themselves in on an active warrant.  Upon his arrival, Officer Ravallo met with Luke Muzyka, 27, of Forked River.  Luke was found to have an active warrant originating out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office.  Luke was placed under arrest and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility, where he was lodged.

Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, December 6, 2022, at 10:27 a.m., this agency received a call from the Manchester Township Police Department, who reported that they had a female under arrest on a Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant.  Officer Ricciardella responded to the Manchester Township Police Department and met with Catharina Haas, 63, of Whiting.  Catharina was processed and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility, where she was lodged.

DWI / Possession of CDS, Drug Paraphernalia – On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 11:38 a.m., officers responded to the City MD parking lot for a report of a female dancing around and punching her vehicle.  Upon arrival, officers met with the female, Brandi Davis, 27, of Carteret.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Brandi was driving while intoxicated.  Officers also discovered CDS and drug paraphernalia inside of Brandi’s vehicle.  Brandi was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  Brandi was charged with Possession of CDS, Use/Being Under the Influence, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Brandi was served a complaint summons for her charges, and was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Unlicensed Driver.  She was released in accordance with John’s Law.

Fire – On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 2:15 p.m., officers responded to a Key West Drive residence for a report of a fire inside of the home.  Members from the Forked River Fire Department also responded to the scene.  It was determined that the dryer had caught fire, but had been extinguished prior to officer’s arrival.  The Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office responded and determined the fire was not suspicious in nature.