• False Report (Juvenile Matter) – On Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at 5:18 p.m. the Lacey Township Police Department received a call that a 12-year-old boy from the area of Williams Street in Forked River near Station Drive was reporting that he was stabbed by an intruder in his family home. Lacey Township patrol officers responded to the scene and were able to determine that the incident did not occur as initially indicated. The matter involved a completely false report. Based on apparent outside monitoring of the public safety radio transmissions of the initial dispatch, the false story quickly spread via social media causing unnecessary public alarm. At no time did the Lacey Township Police Department release information that a stabbing occurred, as it was quickly discovered by officers that the incident did not occur.

  • Hindering Apprehension (Formal Charges) – On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, Officer Anthony Sarno furthered the investigation into the arrest of David Spinks, 826 Hazelton Avenue, Lanoka Harbor, and the parties who hindered his apprehension. The follow-up investigation led to the serving of a formal charge against 44-year-old Stephen Bassford of 15 Lancaster Court in Forked River. Stephen Bassford was charged with Hindering the Apprehension of David Spinks. The original incident occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2015, when David Spinks fled from a vehicle being stopped by police on Hazelton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor. During the subsequent search of the area, it became apparent that residents in the area as well as others, including Stephen Bassford, were coordinating with David Spinks to hinder his immediate apprehension by police. Residents in the area are believed to have made false calls to 911 and police headquarters during the search with information specifically designed to lead officers away from the actual location of David Spinks. David Spinks was ultimately located in the presence of Stephen Bassford and others. On Thursday, March 5, 2015, 9:45 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno again furthered the investigation into the arrest of David Spinks from Hazelton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor and the parties who hindered his apprehension. This led to charges being signed against 22-year-old Michael Araneo, Jr. and 56-year-old Michael Araneo, both of Hazelton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor.  Michael Araneo, Jr. and Michael Araneo were each served with a criminal complaint for Hindering the Apprehension of David Spinks. The investigation is continuing into the false calls to 911 and police headquarters and additional charges will be filed against others found to be involved as appropriate. Additional Note: The original incident involved false information being quickly circulated on social media which caused significant public alarm and fear in the neighborhood. Information was falsely circulated that the police search in the area was for a man carrying a gun. At no time did the Lacey Township Police Department release public information that the man was armed. From its inception, the incident involved a resident of the area fleeing an impending arrest by officers on an outstanding warrant. No weapon was involved.

  • Drug-Induced Death (Assist other agency) –On Monday, March 9, 2015, Lacey detectives assisted the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Brick Township Police Department with the arrest of 28-year-old Christopher T. Marsillo of Chelsea Street in Forked River. Christopher Marsillo was arrested on Monday, March 9, 2015, and charged with the drug-induced death of 38-year-old Gerard Bornemann of Brick. Christopher Marsillo was charged by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office with Strict Liability for a Drug-Induced Death, Reckless Manslaughter, Distribution of Heroin, Possession of Heroin and Possession with the Intent to Distribute Heroin. Gerard Bornemann died January 24, 2015 in a home on Drum Point Road in Brick, NJ. After an autopsy on Jan. 26, 2015, the Ocean County medical examiner ruled that the death was a result of a Heroin overdose. Brick Township Police Detective Joseph Lescowski and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Major Crimes Unit Detective John Carroll met with Marsillo at his job on March 9 and brought him to the Lacey Police Department to continue the investigation, where he was subsequently placed under arrest. Christopher Marsillo was lodged in the Ocean County correctional facility in lieu of $200,000 bail.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Saturday, March 7, 2015, 11:52 p.m., Officer Jason Lee and Officer Dimitrios Tsarnas conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 and Nautilus Blvd in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 49-year-old Roseanne Speciale of Western Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor, on an outstanding Ocean Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $150. Roseanne Speciale was transported to police headquarters, processed, and then released after posting bail.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Saturday, March 7, 2015, at 12:34 a.m., Officers Jason Lee and Dimitrios Tsarnas conducted a motor vehicle stop, on Route 9 and First Street in Forked River, for a stop sign violation.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of a passenger, 22-year-old Jacob Barney of 1250 Spruce Street in Forked River, NJ, for an outstanding warrant out of Lacey Township in the amount of $500.  Jacob Barney posted $500 bail on the warrant. Jacob Barney was also found to have an outstanding Ocean County Sheriff’s Department no bail warrant for his arrest. Jacob Barney was turned over to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

  • Ambulance Call – On Saturday, March 7, 2015, at 3:08 a.m., 26-year-old Robert Gilgunn of Freehold Road in Jackson, NJ contacted this agency to report that he helped an elderly female who was walking south on Route 9 in approximately 5 degree weather. Robert Gilgunn stated that he was leaving the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, when he saw the woman walking down the roadway. The woman was grateful for his assistance and was provided shelter in his vehicle until the police arrived. It was determined that the 90-year-old woman was a resident of Spring Oak Assisted Living Facility and may have been outside for approximately 30-60 minutes. It is unlikely the woman would have survived the extremely cold conditions without assistance from Mr. Gilgunn. Due to the exposure she experienced in the extremely cold temperature, she was transported to Community Medical Center for treatment. A family member and Spring Oak Assisted Living were notified.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 6:38 p.m., Officer John Simonson and Officer Christopher Meyler responded to the Wawa Parking Lot, located at 701 Route 9 N, Lanoka Harbor, for a motor vehicle accident. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 44-year-old Colleen Gerdes-Fairbanks of Pensacola Road in Forked River for DUI.  She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged on motor vehicle summonses with DUI, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, and Refusal to Submit to Breath Tests. The vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 2:56 p.m., Officers Daniel Ricciardella and Evan Androcy responded to the Wawa parking lot, located at 701 Route 9 N, Lanoka Harbor, for a man possibly impaired in his running motor vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 31-year-old Brian Dimaria of Bonair Drive in Brick, NJ, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged on motor vehicle summonses with DUI and Reckless Driving. The vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at 11:03 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to Lancaster Court in the Forked River section of the township in reference to serving an arrest warrant on 44-year-old Stephen Bassford of 15 Lancaster Court in Forked River. Stephen Bassford was located at that address and placed under arrest on the outstanding Jersey City Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $100. Stephen Bassford was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released after posting $100 bail.

  • Driving while Suspended (Arrest) – On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at 2:01 p.m. Officer Evan Androcy conducted a motor vehicle stop of a backhoe traveling east on Pinta Way in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the operator, 29-year-old Jonathan Amato of Windward Drive in Forked River, NJ for Driving while Suspended. He was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters, processed, and charged on a criminal complaint with driving during a period of suspension.

  • Theft – On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 1:12 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins responded to police headquarters in reference to a report of theft. The victim reported that an unknown person or persons stole a package from the front porch of his residence located on the 500 block of Holmes Avenue in the Forked River section of the township during the evening of Thursday, February 26, 2015. UPS indicated that the package was delivered on February 26, 2015, at 5:18 p.m. and left on the front porch. The resident reported that he never received the package. The stolen item is described as steel scuba tank valued at $379.

  • Theft – On Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at 6:21 a.m., a resident responded to police headquarters to report a theft that reportedly occurred at her residence located on the 700 block of Amherst Road in Lanoka Harbor. The homeowner reported that between March 2, 2015 and March 4, 2015, an unknown person stole various items valued at approximately $1,682. The stolen items included gift cards and saving bonds.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at 2:56 p.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella and Officer Evan Androcy responded to Route 9 and Second Street in Forked River in reference to a motor vehicle accident.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 59-year-old Joseph Zlotek of Maxim Drive in Lanoka Harbor for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Joseph Zlotek was served with traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Refusal to Submit to Breath Tests.  The vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.