Fire- On Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 8:21 pm, officers responded to the 1700 block of Anchorage Drive, Forked River, for a report of a fire. Upon arrival, officers observed a small fire burning on the ground in front of the home. Officers ensured that the home was unoccupied and extinguished the fire utilizing their fire extinguishers.  The Forked River Fire Department, Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office, and a member of the Detective Bureau responded to the scene.  It was later determined the fire was accidental. Motor Vehicle Crash/Warrant Arrest- On Friday, March 4, 2022, at approximately 7:39 p.m., officers responded to the area of Beach Boulevard and Cape Cod Drive for a motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. During the investigation, it was revealed that the driver of the motorcycle, Hunter Hauge (21), 805 Orlando Drive, Forked River, NJ, had two outstanding warrants for his arrest.  The first warrant originated out of Ocean Gate for $2,000.00 and the second was out of Barnegat for $450.00.  Hunter was placed under arrest and later released on his own recognizance. Structure Fire- On Monday, March 7, 2022, at 1:32 p.m., officers responded to the 800 block of Alpine Street, Forked River, for [...]

Shoplifting On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 7:34 p.m., officers responded to Kohl’s, 304 Main Street for a report of a male shoplifter who had left the store.  With the assistance of a witness, officers later located the suspect at a nearby business, where he was changing into the stolen clothes. The suspect, Joseph Vapore Jr. (Age 33), Vineland, NJ was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters where he was charged with shoplifting.  Joseph Vapore Jr was later lodged in Ocean County Jail. Theft On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 7:47 p.m., Officer Gant responded to the Bay Harbor Motel, located at 419 South Main Street, Forked River, for a report of a theft. Upon arrival, Officer Gant met with the manager, who reported a male subject stole a fire extinguisher from the second floor of the hotel.  The estimated value of the stolen fire extinguisher was $50.00. Theft from a Motor Vehicle On Thursday, February 24, 2022, at 9:32 p.m., Officer Gant responded to the Pine Tar Bar and Grill, located at 121 South Main Street, for a report of a theft. The victim reported sometime between 7:30 p.m. and 7:50 p.m., someone entered their unlocked vehicle and [...]

Structure Fire On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 1341 hours, Lacey Township Police, Forked River Fire Department, Lanoka Harbor Fire Department and Lacey Township EMS responded to the 800 block of Spar Drive for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival it was discovered that the rear deck and part of the residence was engulfed in flames. The sole resident of the home evacuated the premises and did not sustain any injuries. The Forked River Fire Department and Lanoka Harbor Fire Department extinguished the fire before it was able to spread past the rear wall of the residence.  The Ocean County Fire Marshall and Lacey Township Detective Bureau will be conducting the investigation. Structure Fire On Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 15:07 p.m., Lacey Township Police Department responded to the Heritage Village Apartments at Seabreeze, located at 1031 North Newark Avenue in Forked River, for a report of smoke coming from a first floor apartment. The smoke was determined to be coming from an unoccupied apartment, where a pot was left on top of a stove that had been left on.  Police, Fire, EMS, and the building manager evacuated the residents of the complex due to heavy smoke conditions. [...]