• Fraud – On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 7:01 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari took a report from a victim regarding credit card fraud. The victim reported that she received her Citi Bank credit card statement and discovered several unauthorized purchases that had been made. The victim then reported that her husband later discovered that his credit card was missing. Purchases were made with the credit card in Lacey Township, Berkeley Township, Toms River Township, and Point Pleasant. It was determined that the purchases occurred between the October 16, 2017, and October 21, 2017, totaling over $1500. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 4:50 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of Surf Taco, 44 Manchester Avenue, in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver of the vehicle, 30-year-old Nicole A. Brown, of Brentwood Drive, Bayville, NJ, for an outstanding traffic warrant out of Bordentown Municipal Court for $114. She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and was released after posting bail. Nicole A. Brown was issued motor vehicle summonses for Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Failure to Exhibit Insurance Card.
  • Fraud – On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 4:23 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey responded to Sheffield Drive in Forked River to take a fraud report. The complainant reported that he received a call from Allied Legal Services claiming that he owed $1128 on a Legacy Bank Visa Credit Card. The caller stated they would settle for $600 but it had to be paid immediately or the complainant would be arrested. The complainant requested a letter or bill via the mail but was refused.   Officer Verwey contacted Allied Legal Services for further clarity, but no information was supplied and Allied Legal Services eventually hung up. The complainant was not out any money and was advised ways to protect his identity.
  • Drug Arrest- On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 1:23 p.m., members of the Lacey Township Detective Bureau arrested two Berkeley Township residents at a local convenience store. Prior to the arrests, detectives witnessed a suspicious interaction between the two men prior to both entering a public bathroom. Detectives entered the bathroom and located one of the suspects, Christopher Bovino, 24, holding cash. The second suspect, Brendan Wason, 30, was locked in a stall. As he exited, detectives discovered 9 wax folds containing heroin on the floor. Christopher Bovino, 24, of Riverside Drive, Bayville, was charged with possession of heroin and distribution of the same. Brendan Wason, 30, of Riverside Drive, Bayville, was charged with possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both men were released pending a Court appearance.
  • Theft – On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 12:30 p.m., Officer Darrell Nick responded to police headquarters to take a report of theft. The victim reported that she let a friend stay at her Beach Blvd, Forked River residence with her on January 6, 2018. Her friend arrived at approximately 10:30 p.m. and stayed until the following morning. The victim left for work at 10:00 a.m. on January 7, 2018, at which point she discovered $300.00 missing from her purse. She confronted her friend but he denied taking the money. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Theft/Criminal Mischief- On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 8:50 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the intersection of Hillwood Road and Hillwood Drive in Forked River, to investigate a theft of Lacey Township property. Members of the Lacey Township Department of Public Works reported that the aluminum street sign pole was cut horizontally, and the street sign and top of the pole were stolen. The incident appeared to have taken place prior to January 4, 2018. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Gas Leak – On Tuesday, January 9, 2018, at 10:11 a.m. , Officers Michael Verwey and John Simonson responded to the construction site at 244 Route 9 North in Forked River for a report of a struck gas line. It was discovered that a worker struck a gas line under the construction site. New Jersey Natural Gas and the Forked River Fire Company responded to the scene. Gas service to the entire complex was turned off by the gas company to facilitate the repair. Adjacent properties were checked and found to be unaffected.
  • Theft from Auto – On Sunday, January 7, 2018, at 11:17 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to police headquarters to take a report of theft from a vehicle. The victim believes that someone entered his unlocked vehicle that was parked on the 800 block of Devon Street in Forked River between December 22, 2017 and December 25, 2017. A Husky toolbox, a Leister Triac Welding Kit, and a men’s wallet containing three credit cards and a NJ Driver’s License were taken. The total value of the items stolen is estimated at $744. The victim’s NJ Driver’s License was later returned via the US Postal service. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Friday, January 5, 2018, at 7:23 p.m., Officers Elton Copes and Adam Ewart located a disabled vehicle that ran off the road into a snow mound on Lacey Road, west of the Route 9 intersection. The driver of the vehicle, 28-year-old Lianne Crincoli of Greenwood Lane, Forked River, was not hurt. Investigation at the scene led to her arrest for having an outstanding traffic warrant out of Lacey Township Municipal Court in the amount of $578. Lianne Crincoli was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after posting bail.
  • Fire – On Friday, January 5, 2018, at 4:10 p.m., Officers Andrew Slota and Jesse Dalziel responded to the 1800 block of Allwood Place in Forked River for a report of a structure fire. The homeowner noticed that their detached garage door appeared to be melting. Upon arrival, the Forked River Fire Department was on scene and was able to contain and extinguish the fire without incident. Members from the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office as well as Lacey Township Detectives Brian Flynn and Sam Della Sala responded to the scene to assist in the investigation. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. A 2005 work van, two dirt bikes, and various tools were inside the garage.
  • Burglary-Theft from Residence – On Friday, January 5, 2018, at 3:44 p.m., Officer John McKee responded to the 200 block of Quail Lane South in Lanoka Harbor for a report of theft from a residence. The victim reported that sometime between December 25, 2017, and January 5, 2018, an unknown person(s) made entry into his secured garage and entered his locked safe. The suspect(s) took approximately $100,000 worth of jewelry inside the safe. Detective Brian Flynn responded and processed the scene. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Fraud – On Friday, January 5, 2018, at 12:51 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to police headquarters to take a report of a suspicious incident. The complainant reported that he received a bill from Comcast in his name for services received from June 2017 to September 2017 for $766.82. The victim stated that his Comcast account is in his wife’s name and he never activated another account with Comcast. There are no suspects at the time of reporting and Comcast will be looking into this matter.