Shoplifting- On March, 24, 2022, at 1:12 p.m., Officer D’Antonio responded to Kohl’s for a shoplifting incident. Upon arrival, Officer D’Antonio met with the loss prevention employee who reported on February 19, 2022, two unknown females, shoplifted approximately $3,200.00 worth of merchandise, and left in a silver vehicle.  This incident is under investigation. Fraud- On Friday, March 25, 2022, at 9:45 a.m., Officer Emmett responded to police headquarters for a fraud report. Upon arrival, the victim reported they created an investment type account via an application on their phone.  The victim reported they received an email from account’s help desk, which instructed the victim to change their password, as the security of the account was compromised. When the victim logged into the account, they realized that a large amount of the funds had been withdrawn.  The victim reported the incident to the application company and the company instructed the victim to document the incident with their local police department. DWI- On Friday, March 25, 2022, at 7:40 p.m., Officer Watkins responded to Wawa, 444 Route 9 South, for a report of a female driver slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle.  Officer Watkins contacted the driver, Calah Murphy, 33, [...]

Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, March 20, 2022 at 8:45 a.m., Officer Calhoun conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection or Route 9 South and Clearwater Drive for a cell phone violation. The driver, Steven Kirkland (age 30) of Waretown, was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest out of Woodland Township in the amount of $839.00. Steven was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was issued a traffic summons and released on bail. Fraud- On March 20, 2022, at 12:52 p.m., Officer Ricciardella responded to headquarters for a fraud report.  Upon arrival, the complainant reported sometime between March 18 and March 19, 2022, someone opened a BJ’s MasterCard in Jersey City, NJ.  The account was opened using the victim’s information and then $973.63 in merchandise was charged to the card.  The victim reported the incident to MasterCard who has since closed the account. Shoplifting/Hindering Apprehension- On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, at 8:40 p.m., multiple officers responded to Walmart for a report of shoplifter who had left the scene.  The suspect, Rafael Louis-Gonzalez (Age 32), of 811 North Main Street, Lanoka Harbor, was later located in the area with stolen property.  Rafael was placed under [...]

Stolen Vehicle- Officers Watkins and Copes responded to the 1000 block of Buena Vista Road, Forked River, for a report of a stolen vehicle.  Upon arrival, they met with the caller/vehicle owner, who indicated after starting their vehicle, they returned inside the home, leaving the vehicle running and unsecured. The victim reported shortly after, they heard engine revving and discovered that the vehicle was gone.  While Officer Watkins was taking the report, dispatch received a separate call for a vehicle on fire near the 7-Eleven parking, 403 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor.  Officers responding to 7-Eleven, located a parked vehicle, however it was not on fire.  The vehicle was confirmed as being the same vehicle that was reported stolen. The Detective Bureau and Ocean County Sherriff’s Department was notified and responded to investigate. This case is currently under investigation. Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest- On Thursday, March 10, 2022, at 10:28 p.m., Officer Watkins conducted a motor vehicle stop, near the intersection of Western Boulevard and Cambridge Road for speeding. Upon checking the driver’s credentials, Officer Watkins discovered that the driver, Hunter Hague, (21) of 805 Orlando Drive, Forked River, NJ, had a suspended driver’s license and an outstanding warrant for [...]