Please be aware that the following scam, or something similar, has recently been occurring state-wide. The scam is primarily targeting the elderly. An unknown suspect contacts the victim by phone identifying himself as an attorney. The “attorney” explains that he has been retained by the victim’s grandson or granddaughter in light or their recent arrest. The “attorney” further explains that the relative, whose name he will have obtained [...]
The Lacey Township Police Department takes numerous reports of our residents being scammed. Most of these scams are conducted from outside of the United States giving our agency little to no chance of identifying and arresting these individuals. Below are several scams that our residents should be aware of. Victims are contacted by a person portraying a representative of McAfee or a similar computer anti-virus company. During the [...]
Burglary- On Thursday, February 20, 2020, at 3:40 p.m., Officer Scott Anderson took a burglary report from a Forked River resident. The victim reported that his work van was entered by an unknown suspect during the overnight hours while it was parked on Yorktown Drive. The actor stole tools valued at $630. DWI- On Friday, February 21, 2020, at 11:08 p.m., Officers Anthony Ravallo and Michael Hein were dispatched to the intersection [...]
Arrest- On Thursday, February 13, 2020, at 1:00 p.m., Officers Michael Verwey and Dan Ricciardella were dispatched to the Walmart parking lot in reference to a dispute. Once there, officers discovered that two adult females had been involved in an argument when one of the women purposely pushed her shopping cart into the other woman’s vehicle. Evelyn Vogel, 25, of Beachwood, was placed under arrest for Criminal Mischief valued in excess of [...]
The Lacey Township Police Department is seeking help from the public. The unidentified, adult male pictured below is suspected in the daytime theft of a motor vehicle. The vehicle, a white Ford van, was stolen from the rear of Medicine to Go, 524 Lacey Road, on Monday, February 3, 2020. The van exited the parking lot and traveled west on Lacey Road shortly before 11:30 a.m. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to [...]
Arrest- On Friday, January 24, 2020, at 10:13 p.m., Officers Bruce Carver and Brian Holt arrested John Panagakos, 37, for an outstanding warrant. The warrant was issued by the Little Egg Harbor Municipal Court after he failed to appear for a Driving While Suspended summons. Panagakos was released after the $750 bail was satisfied. Fraud- On Sunday, January 26, 2020, at 11:07 a.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel met with a Township resident who [...]
Arrest- On Thursday, January 9, 2020, at 10:20 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari conducted a motor vehicle stop on Clairmore Avenue. During the stop, Officer Baldasari discovered an outstanding warrant for the driver, Alexandra Vandorn, 33. Vandorn was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. Vandorn was released on her own recognizance after satisfying the Jackson Township $750 bail. Vandorn was issued summonses for Speeding and Driving While Suspended. Arrest- On Thursday, January [...]
Overdose- During a 20-hour period beginning Thursday, January 2, 2020, at 8:00 p.m., Lacey officers responded to three separate first aid calls that appear to be drug-related. During each call, the victims survived after officers or first aid members administered Narcan. Each incident appears to have been caused by heroin use. Arrest- On Thursday, January 2, 2020, at 8:40 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno took custody of Monica Merry, 30, from Beachwood [...]
DWI- On Thursday, December 26, 2019, at 2:43 p.m., Officer Anthony Ravallo conducted a motor vehicle stop in the Lacey Mall parking lot. During the stop, Officer Ravallo determined that the driver, William Culver, 63, was under the influence. Culver was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Wear a Seatbelt. Stolen Vehicle- On Thursday, December 26, 2019, at 9:15 p.m., Officers Elton Copes and Brian Holt responded to a Bamber [...]
Fraud- On Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 7:35 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver met with a Forked River resident who reported fraudulent activity. The victim stated that she received an email from her credit card company reporting recent purchases. An unknown actor reportedly placed several orders at Target through the Internet using her credit card information. Afterward, the suspect arrived at the Manahawkin Target picking up the purchases valued at $569. Arrest- On [...]