Police-Blotter-1

Weekly Police Blotter

April 28th thru May 4th, 2015

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  • Theft from a Business (Burglary) – On Monday, May 4, 2015, at 5:12 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to 630 Lacey Road in Forked River for a report of an unlawful entry of the building with items missing. The business, the Law Offices of Himber & Stark, was reported to have been entered between Saturday, May 2, 2015 and Sunday, May 3, 2015.  Items reported stolen included a surfboard as well as numerous business and trust account checks. Entry was believed to have been made at the rear portion of the building where windows screens and a sliding door were damaged. The incident is currently under investigation.

  • Shoplifting – On Monday, May 4, 2015 at 4:10 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to the Wawa store at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River reference a shoplifting incident. The store employee reported that she had just completed a return for a customer who returned a pack of Marlboro Light cigarettes for a refund. The transaction was completed and the clerk returned $8.06 in cash to the customer. The clerk indicated that she did not feel comfortable with the transaction, so she further investigated the subject on the store surveillance video. The customer was observed on video entering the store, and as he approached the register counter, he reached over and removed a pack of Marlboro Lights and Marlboro Reds from behind the counter. A full description of the suspect was available. The clerk also believed that he is a frequent customer of the store. On Tuesday, May 5, 2015, at 2:53 a.m., the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by the manager of the Wawa who advised that the suspect in the prior morning’s shoplifting incident was currently in the store. Officer Andrew Slota was dispatched and advised that the suspect left on a bicycle. While en route to the Wawa, Officer Slota observed a male subject fitting the description riding a bicycle on Taylor Lane in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to male subject’s arrest for the shoplifting incident the prior morning. The accused was identified as 33-year-old Robert D. Goffio of Ocean Street in Forked River. Robert D. Goffio was transported to police headquarters, processed, and was served a criminal summons for Shoplifting.

  • DUI with Accident (Hit and Run) – On Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 12:58 p.m., Officers Jason Lee and Frederick Anderson responded to the Home Depot, located at 244 Route 9 North in Forked River, for a hit and run traffic accident. There were no reported injuries. A description and license plate number was provided for the vehicle that fled the scene. The license plate provided an address on the 300 block of Normandie Drive in Forked River. Officer Lee responded to the 300 block of Normandie Drive and observed the vehicle traveling to the residence. Officer Lee met with the driver of the vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 58-year-old William Culver of Normandie Drive, for DUI. William Culver was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Mischief Criminal and Criminal Attempt to Commit Burglary – On Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 11:47 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 1400 block of Pershing Avenue in Forked River for an attempted burglary. The victim reported that between 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2015, and 11:30 a.m., on May 3, 2015, an unknown person or persons attempted to force entry in to his residence by forcing open and damaging the front screen door and door jam. In addition, the person or persons appeared to have attempted to force open the shed door located in the rear yard. It does not appear anything was stolen at this time. Total damage is estimated at $150. The incident is under investigation.

  • Theft of Property Lost or Mislaid – On Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 10:23 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River, for a theft in the parking lot. The victim stated that just prior to contacting this agency he left the Wawa store and was walking to his vehicle in the parking lot when he dropped an envelope containing a large sum of cash. The victim entered his vehicle and drove across the street at which point he realized he dropped the cash. The victim returned immediately and looked for the envelope without finding it. The victim entered the store where he spoke with employees. This agency was contacted and responded. The video surveillance revealed that the driver of a vehicle parked nearby is seen picking up the envelope, getting back in the car and driving south. The vehicle is described as a gray or silver Nissan Sentra with a New Jersey license plate. The driver is described as an older white male with brown hair and a mustache, approximately 5’10 and weighting approximately 200 pounds. At the time he was wearing jeans, boots, and an open flannel shirt over an aqua t-shirt. Prior to picking up the envelope of cash, the driver utilized a credit card to make a purchase inside Wawa. The credit card information along with the video surveillance is being obtained. The matter is under investigation.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, May 2, 2015, at 2:45 a.m., Officer Charles May responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, to serve an arrest warrant. This agency was advised the accused, identified as 38-year-old Leonard Vivona of Devon Street in Forked River, was at the Walmart and had an outstanding Lacey Township Warrant in the amount of $500. Upon arrival, Officer May located Leonard Vivona in the parking lot and placed him under arrest on the warrant. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Leonard Vivona could not post bail and was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.

  • Theft (Residence) – On Friday, May 1, 2015, at 9:23 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to the 1000 block of Capstan Drive in Forked River for a theft. The victim reported that between Sunday, April 26, 2015, and Friday, May 1, 2015, an unknown person or persons stole a male Osprey bird lawn ornament valued at $75 from the front yard.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Friday, May 1, 2015, at 9:15 p.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas conducted a traffic stop on Beach Boulevard near Sandy Hook Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 25-year-old Louis E. Gardner of Independence Drive in Forked River, for DUI. Louis Gardner was processed and issued traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Theft – On Friday, May 1, 2015, at 11:45 a.m., Officer John Cernek responded to the 800 block of Beach Boulevard in Forked River for a theft report. The homeowner reported that during the day on April 28, 2015, several of her lawn ornaments, valued at approximately $200 were stolen from the front yard. The victim provided information on a possible suspect. The matter is under investigation.

  • Structure Fire (Residential) – On Friday, May 1, 2015, at 6:07 a.m., Officer Jeffrey Slota responded to the 400 block of Seabright Road in Forked River for a residential structure fire. Flames were observed coming from the rear of the residence. Upon arrival, Officer Slota learned that a member of the Forked River Fire Department was on scene and extinguished a majority of the fire with a neighbor’s garden house. The Forked River Fire Department responded and extinguished the remainder of the blaze. The Ocean County Fire Marshal, along with Lacey Detective Brian Flynn responded. There were no reported injuries. The incident is under investigation.

  • Theft from a Person (3rd Degree) and Terroristic Threats – On Monday, April 27, 2015, at 3:57 p.m., Officer Darrell Nick took a report of a theft that occurred at the Lacey Mall near the Shop Rite earlier in the day. The 91-year-old victim reported that as he was walking to his vehicle, a male subject attempted to remove his wallet from his pants pocket. The victim refused to allow the suspect to take the wallet. The victim reported that two females observed the incident and approached them. The suspect fled and a description of the suspect was provided. Detective Robert Surtees responded and continued the investigation. On Thursday, April 30, 2015, Detective Surtees completed his investigation. Detective Surtees responded to the Home Depot parking lot in Forked River as a location known to be frequented by the suspect during the morning hours. Detective Surtees arrested 53-year-old James Cort of Olds Street in Forked River and charged him with Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft from a Person and Terroristic Threats. Bail was set in the amount of $25,000. He was also found to have a Lacey Township Warrant in the amount of $750. James Cort was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was unable to post bail and was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.

  • Suspicious Incident – On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 12:13 p.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to police headquarters for a suspicious incident report. The complainant reported that at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, a female called his Forked River residence reporting that she was from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The female advised him this was his final chance to make payment before the IRS filed a lawsuit against him. The complainant recalled this was a scam and did not provide any information to the caller. Residents should continue to be mindful that the IRS only contacts citizens via U.S. Mail and to be cautious when receiving these types of calls.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 8:24 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey conducted a traffic stop on Route 9 South and Oak Street in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 56-year-old Anthony A. Naia, Jr. of Tampa Road in Forked River, for DUI. Anthony A. Naia, Jr. was processed and issued traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Improper Passing. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Drug Possession and Distribution (Arrests) – On Wednesday, April 29, 2015, Lacey Township Police Department Detectives witnessed several suspects involved in suspicious activity within Lacey Township consistent with narcotics possession and distribution. During the course of the investigation, Lacey Township Detectives performed a motor vehicle stop on a white Chrysler Voyager minivan which had returned to Lacey Township after a brief trip to Lakewood Township. Investigation at the scene led to the following three arrests: 1) 35-year-old Jessica R. Morris-Black of Enterprise Drive in Forked River who was charged with Possession of Heroin with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Crack Cocaine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe; 2) 29-year-old Brittany L. Bodzak of Elwood Street in Forked River who was charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and 3) 30-year-old Shanel L. Romanowski of Parker Street in Forked River who was charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe. In addition, Shanel L. Romanowski received traffic summonses for Operating an Unregistered Vehicle and Operating a Motor Vehicle while Possessing CDS. All three were processed and released after receiving criminal summonses.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at 11:09 p.m., Officer John McKee conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of Walmart located at 580 Route 9 North in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 22-year-old Elizabeth Ehly of Capstan Avenue in Beachwood, NJ on an outstanding Beachwood Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $107. In addition, the passenger, identified as 23-year-old Angelo Massimino of Clifton Avenue in Bayville, NJ was arrested on an outstanding Tinton Falls Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $300. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters and processed. They both posted full bail and were released.