• Transformer Fire — On Thursday, May 4, 2018, at 6:38 a.m., Officer Frederick Anderson responded to the area of 620 Lacey Road for a report of a transformer explosion that caused a small brush fire to ensue. The brush fire was extinguished by Forked River Fire Department and no damages occurred to any structures as a result of the transformer fire. Notification to JCP&L was made by the fire company.
  • CDS Arrest — On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at 8:26 p.m., Officer Jason Lee conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road near the intersection of Lane Place, Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 48-year-old Robert J. Braden of Elizabeth Avenue, Whiting, New Jersey. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and released. Robert Braden was charged on a summons for Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. He also received motor vehicle summonses for Maintenance of Lamps, Failure to Produce Driver’s License, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of an Open Container.
  • Warrant Arrest —On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 12:41 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to the 500 block of Elwood Street, Forked River, for a report of a family member taking another family member’s vehicle without permission. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 39-year-old Brenna A. Haase of 506 Elwood Street, Forked River, on an active no bail warrant issued out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for Failure to Appear. Brenna Haase was handcuffed, searched, and transported to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of her bail.
  • Structure Fire —On Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at 12:19 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to the 500 block of Nautilus Boulevard, Forked River, for the report of a fire. Investigation at the scene revealed a large fire involving a wooden stockade fence between two houses. A passerby had observed the fire and stopped, found the garden hose from one of the residences and began extinguishing the blaze. When the Forked River Fire Department responded, the fire had already been put out. The damage was limited to the wooden fence, several garbage cans, and the siding of both homes. The estimated damage was $1,000 for each home. The Ocean County Fire Marshal, the Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and the Lacey Township Building Inspector were contacted and responded. The Fire Marshal determined that the fire was started by combustion of fresh mulch and was deemed not to be suspicious.
  • DUI Arrest —On Monday, April 30, 2018, at 8:26 a.m., Officer Michael Verwey conducted a motor vehicle stop near Gille Park on Manchester Avenue in Forked River. Officer Michael Hutman assisted him at the scene. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 43-year-old Barbara L. Munson of Baldwin Street in Forked River, for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Barbara Munson was released after receiving traffic summonses for DWI (1000 Feet of School Zone), Refusal to Submit to Chemical Breath Test, and Reckless Driving. The vehicle she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • DUI Arrest —On Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 8:48 p.m., Officer Christopher Meyler conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 near the power plant. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 31-year-old Laura Wilbert of Clearwater Drive, Waretown, NJ, for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Laura Wilbert was released after receiving traffic summonses for DWI, Refusal, Reckless, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Burglary —On Sunday, April 29, 2018, at 5:43 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the 400 block of Stony Point Drive in Forked River, for a report of burglary. The victim reported that sometime between Saturday, April 28, at 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 29, 2018, someone forced entry into his detached garage. No items were reported stolen, however, cigarette butts, folding chairs, and empty bottles and cans were located inside the garage. Damage to the door and doorjamb were present. This incident remains under investigation.
  • DUI Arrest —On Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 11:18 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop on East Lacey Road in Forked River for a traffic light violation.   Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 25-year-old Christian Lee of Haines Street East, Lanoka Harbor, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Christian Lee was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Observe Signal, Failure to Maintain Lane, Improper Left Hand Turn, Unregistered Vehicle, and Possession of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle. The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Warrant Arrest — On Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 2:24 p.m., Officers Daniel Ricciardella and Darrell Nick responded to the 300 block of Beach Boulevard in Forked River for a report of a suspicious male entering an unlocked shed. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 38-year-old Philip A. Langone of 311 Beach Boulevard, Forked River, for having two outstanding warrants. Both Nonsupport warrants were out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department totaling over $71,000. Phillip A. Langone was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of his bail.
  • Aggravated Assault/Resisting Arrest/Obstructing –On Friday, April 27, 2018 at 9:41 p.m. Officers Anthony Sarno, Michael Baldasari, Martin Julian and Scott Keefe responded to 699 Challenger Way (Backward Flag Brewing Company) for a report of some type of fight in progress involving patrons and the staff of the establishment.  Investigation at the scene found that two males became irate when they were told by the staff that “the brewery was done serving for the night”. The attempt to get the males to leave the facility escalated into some type of altercation. Further investigation at the scene led to the arrest of two individuals; 49-year-old John Ofsanko of Predmore Avenue, Lanoka Harbor along with 49-year-old James Ofsanko of Predmore Ave, Lanoka Harbor. Both subjects were transported to Lacey Police Department for processing. John Ofsanko was charged on a criminal warrant with Obstructing Administration of Law, Simple Assault and Resisting Arrest.  James Ofsanko was charged on a criminal warrant with Resisting Arrest, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes and unlawful possession of a weapon. The weapon was his personal cane that he was wielding during the altercation. Both men were transported to Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing.
  • MV Burglary — On Friday, April 27, 2018 at 2:55 p.m., Sergeant Michael Eden along with Officers Darrell Nick, George Resetar, and Michael Hutman responded to the Lacey Mall on Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. The victim reported that while she was inside Anytime Fitness, someone broke the rear, driver’s side window and removed her Coach purse and its contents including her NJ Driver’s License, $20 in cash, various credit cards, and her EMT certification; the total value is estimated at $342. The damage to the vehicle is estimated at $450. Video surveillance was able to be recovered by police. This incident remains under investigation.
  • Drug Arrest — On Friday, April 27, 2018, at 12:09 a.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 South near the Beach Boulevard, Forked River, intersection. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 20-year-old Morgan A. Jones of Third Street, Waretown, NJ. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Morgan Jones was charged on a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana over 50 Grams; she also received motor vehicle summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane and Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle. Morgan Jones was released on a criminal summons.