- DUI Arrest with Motor Vehicle Crash – On Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 3:31 p.m., Officers Noah Schaffer and Darrell Nick responded to Route 9 North and Bay Way in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a two vehicle motor vehicle crash involving a hit and run. The vehicle that left the scene was located a short distance away. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of one of the drivers, identified as 34-year-old Thomas S. Meade of Cranmer Road in Bayville, NJ, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Thomas S. Meade was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Yield, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash, and Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Crash. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Structure Fire (Residence) – On Thursday, August 3, 2017, at 1:44 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari responded to the 400 block of Predmore Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a residential structure fire. Prior to his arrival a neighbor had extinguished the fire. The Lanoka Harbor Fire Department responded and ensured the fire was extinguished. As a result of the fire, the outside cedar-shake siding and vinyl soffit were damaged. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded and investigated.
- Warrant Arrest (Multiple) – On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 6:40 p.m., Sergeant Robert Surtees, along with Officers Michael Baldasari and Jason Lee, responded to the 200 block of Lawrence Drive in Lanoka Harbor, to serve three (3) outstanding warrants. Upon arrival they met with 23-year-old Erik C. Moore of Lawrence Drive and placed him under arrest for the warrants. Warrant number (1) was issued by the Lacey Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $750 and warrant number (2) was issued by the Manchester Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $501. Warrant number (3) was a no-bail warrant issued by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Erik C. Moore was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was later lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.
- Warrant Arrest (Multiple) – On Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at 4:20 p.m., Officer Jason Lee conducted a traffic stop on Route 9 South and Station Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 33-year-old Roseann Lugo of Elm Street in Newark, NJ, on two (2) outstanding warrants. Warrant number one (1) was issued by the Cranford Municipal Court in the bail amount of $843, and warrant number two (2) was issued by the Rahway Municipal Court in the bail amount of $150. Roseann Lugo was transported to police headquarters and processed. She was released after posting bail on both warrants.
- Underage Consumption of Alcohol – On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at 11:12 p.m., Special Officer Robert Campolei was patrolling the Forked River Beach Park, located at 5001 Beach Boulevard in Forked River, when he observed two suspicious juveniles inside the gazebo. Officer Andrew Slota arrived on scene to assist. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of both juveniles, identified as a 16-year-old male from Forked River, and a 17-year-old male from Forked River, for Underage Possession/Consumption of Alcohol. The parents of both juveniles were contacted, responded and took custody of them. Both juveniles were charged on juvenile complaints with Underage Consumption/Possession of Alcohol.
- Drug Arrest – On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at 8:43 p.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel responded to the 1400 block of Sweetwood Drive in Forked River, for a report of someone yelling. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 22-year-old Cody N. Collins, of Mt. Idenburg Lane in Toms River, NJ, for possession of CDS. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Cody N. Collins was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana 50 grams or less.
- Burglary, Aggravated Assault and Criminal Mischief – On Tuesday, August 1, 2017, at 6:59 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to the 100 block of Bay Avenue in Forked River, for a burglary and assault. Lacey Police Detective Alan Abrecht also responded. An investigation at the scene led to a criminal warrant being issued against the accused, 33-year-old Patrick McMahon of Seaman Avenue in Beachwood, NJ, for Burglary, by entering the residence on Bay Avenue in Forked River and then assaulting the adult male resident. On Wednesday, August 2, 2017, at 4:05 p.m., Officer Brian Holt met with Patrick McMahon at police headquarters. Patrick McMahon was arrested on the above warrant and processed. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing
- Structure Fire (Residence) – On Monday, July 31, 2017, at 3:39 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to Canterbury Drive in Forked River, for a residential structure fire. Smoke was observed coming from the soffits and exterior wall of the garage. The Forked River Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The house was not occupied at the time of the fire. Lacey Township Police Detective Keith Pearce and with the Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to the scene. The fire remains under investigation.
- DUI Arrest– On Monday, July 31, 2017, at 12:44 a.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Route 9 North and Sunrise Boulevard in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 26-year-old Rogelio Velazquez, of Adolphus Street in Forked River, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Rogelio Velazquez was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Observe Signal. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Drug Arrest– On Sunday, July 30, 2017, at 9:30 p.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a traffic stop on Route 9 South near Taylor Lane in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the passenger, identified as 20-year-old Catlin E. Gortatowski, of Compass Lane in Barnegat, NJ, for possession of CDS. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Catlin E. Gortatowski was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana 50 grams or Less.
- Drug Arrest – On Saturday, July 29, 2017, at 11:33 p.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of East Basin Road and Pine Street in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as a 17-year-old male from Lanoka Harbor, for possession of CDS. He was later released to the custody of his parent after receiving traffic summons for speeding and possession of CDS in a motor vehicle. In addition, he was charged on a juvenile complaint with Possession of Marijuana 50 grams or Less.
- Shoplifting – On Friday, July 28, 2017, at 9:38 p.m., Officer Christopher Meyler responded to Kohl’s, located at 304 Route 9 North in Forked River, for a shoplifter. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 65-year-old Dominic J. Stuto of Elwood Street in Forked River, for shoplifting merchandise (under-ringing) valued at $1134.76. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Dominic J. Stuto was released after receiving a criminal summons for shoplifting. The incident remains under investigation
- Theft – On Friday, July 28, 2017, at 7:37 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to police headquarters for a theft report. The victim reported that between Saturday, July 15, 2017 and Monday, July 17, 2017, an unknown person or persons stole a Huffy bicycle from a residence located on the 1400 block of Earie Way in Forked River. The estimated cost of the bicycle is $120.
- DUI Arrest – On Friday, July 28, 2017, at 3:48 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno conducted a traffic stop on Lake Barnegat Drive North and Steuben Avenue in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 49-year-old Kenneth L. Blair, of South Shore Drive in Toms River, NJ, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Kenneth L. Blair was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Signal, and Delaying Traffic. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.