• CDS Arrest- On Thursday, February 22, 2018, at 6:40 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the WaWa, 800 Lacey Road, Forked River, to investigate an aggressive drive complaint. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 36 year old Ali Gunaydin, of C. Farrington, Lakewood, NJ for possession of heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia. Ali Gunaydin was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged on a criminal warrant with possession of heroin, possession of a hypodermic syringe, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also issued a motor vehicle summons for CDS in a motor vehicle. Ali Gunaydin was later transported to Ocean County Jail.
  • Fraud/Identity Theft – On Monday, February 19, 2018, at 11:11 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to Lacey Township Police Headquarters to take a report of identity theft. The victim stated he went to Liberty Tax and had his taxes prepared. Two days later, he received a call from his tax preparer advising him that the IRS rejected his Federal Tax Return because his name and social security number had already been used to E-file a tax return. Liberty Tax contacted the IRS and the victim contacted a credit bureau who advised him they would be monitoring his credit. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Theft – On Monday, February 19, 2018, at 9:18 a.m., Officer Dimitrios Tsarnas responded to the 300 block of East Lacey Road, Southwinds Marina, for a report of theft. The owner of Mermaids Cove Marina reported that he rents space from Southwinds Marina and noticed that a coil wire had been removed from his Travel Lift making it inoperable. The total amount of the theft is estimated at $125. The theft is believed to have occurred between February 2, 2018 and February 9, 2018. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Warrant Arrests – On Sunday, February 18, 2018, at 9:29 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to Lacey Township Police Headquarters for a subject turning himself in on outstanding warrants. The subject, 36-year-old Jack J. Hall, of Willow Lane, Forked River, had three outstanding warrants–a no bail warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, a warrant out of Stafford Township Municipal Court for $639, and a warrant out of Beachwood Township Municipal Court for $600. Unable to post bail, he was transported to the Ocean Correctional Facility without incident.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, February 18, 2018, at 2:34 a.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 South and Taylor Lane in Forked River. Investigation at the scene found the driver, 31-year-old Roy D. Black of Lexington Boulevard, Barnegat, NJ, had a suspended driver’s license. In addition, Roy D. Black had an outstanding warrant out of Little Egg Harbor Township for $289. He was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released after posting bail. Roy Black was issued a motor vehicle summons for Suspended Driver’s License.
  • Possession of Marijuana – On Friday, February 16, 2018, at 8:51 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno conducted a motor vehicle stop for speeding on Elwood Street near the intersection of Weehawkin Avenue in Forked River. The driver, 21-year-old Steven S. Higgins of Edgemere Avenue, Forked River, was found to have a suspended driver’s license. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Steven Higgins for possession of marihuana under 50g. Steven Higgins was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters and processed. He received motor vehicle summonses for Speeding, Suspended Driver, and CDS in a Motor Vehicle. He was charged on a criminal warrant for Possession of Marijuana and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility without incident.
  • Burglary Auto – On Friday, February 16, 2018, at 5:21 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the 500 block of Vaughn Avenue in Forked River for a report of a vehicle burglary. The victim reported that between February 8, and February 16, 2018, an unknown person(s) entered his unlocked vehicle and stole $140 in cash from the center console. The vehicle was parked in the driveway of the residence. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Theft of a Bicycle – On Friday, February 16, 2018, at 2:37 p.m., Officer Darrell Nick responded to the 700 block of Sinclair Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a bicycle theft. The victim reported that between 9:00 p.m. on February 13, and 2:00 on February 16, 2018, someone took her son’s red Huffy bicycle from under the front porch of her residence. The approximate value of the bicycle is $20. There are no suspects at the time of this report.
  • DWI Arrest – On Friday, February 16, 2018, at 2:12 p.m., Officers John Simonson and Dan Ricciardella responded to the German Butcher Shoppe on Lacey Road, Forked River, for a report of a suspicious incident. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 37-year-old Marianna Ruggiero of Morning Glory Lane, Manchester, NJ, for DUI. Marianna Ruggiero was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed. She was later released from police custody after receiving motor vehicle summonses for DWI and Reckless driving. The car she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.