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Mission Statement
It is the mission of the Lacey Township Police Department to protect the lives and property of those who visit, work, or reside in Forked River, Lanoka Harbor, and Bamber Lake, New Jersey. We, as the dedicated members of the Lacey Township Police Department, are committed to working diligently toward reducing criminal activity and victimization while improving the quality of life of the residents we so proudly serve. Our promise is to serve with honor and the highest level of integrity to maintain the public’s confidence in our organization.
Welcome to the Lacey Township Police Department Website
The dedicated members of the Lacey Township Police Department are committed to providing the highest level of service to the community. This includes the use of technology to not only ensure our law enforcement efforts are more efficient and effective, but to also provide the community with convenient services and timely information. You may obtain a motor vehicle accident report, valuable information on identity theft, neighborhood crime alerts, information on the passage of new laws, and much more. Please feel free to browse this website to familiarize yourself with the Lacey Township Police Department and the services available. This site will continue to evolve as additional opportunities to serve you better become available.
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Department News – Lacey Township Police Department – Search for Missing 73 Year-Old Male Leads to Safe Return – May 29, 2021
On Saturday, May 29, 2021 at 10:10 am, the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted regarding a missing person from a Lanoka Harbor residence. The missing person, identified as a 73-year old male, had walked away from his residence in the Bayberry Section of Lanoka Harbor, on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at approximately 12:00 pm and had not returned home. It was further reported that the missing male suffered from Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Police Officers from the Lacey Township Police Department were immediately dispatched and began checking common areas that the missing male frequently visits, however they were unable to locate him. The investigation at the scene, along with the deteriorating weather conditions, led to a search effort in the wooded marsh area near the missing male’s residence on the Edward B Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge property. The Lacey Township Police Department coordinated with both the Ocean County Sheriff's Department and the Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, to conduct a systematic search of the wooded area. This included the use of the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K9 unit, along with off-road patrol units from both the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the Lacey Township Police Department. At approximately 2:45 pm, members [...]
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – May 20 through May 26, 2021
Theft- On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 6:53 p.m., Officer Elton Copes took a theft report from a local business. An employee reported observing a customer acting suspicious prior to leaving the store. Afterward, the employee discovered that her wallet was missing. Officer Copes was able to locate the customer and recover the wallet. No criminal charges were filed. Theft- On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:01 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins was dispatched to the rail trail for a theft report. The victim reported that his electric bicycle, valued at $1,600, was taken by another male subject. A suspect was identified and is being sought. DWI- On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:13 p.m., Officers Dallas Gant and Anthony Sarno responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Haines Street. During the investigation it was determined that one driver, Robert Coughran, was under the influence. Coughran was arrested and charged with DWI and Reckless Driving. He was also charged criminally with Assault by Auto prior to being released pending a Court appearance. DWI- On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 10:49 p.m., Officers Elton Copes and Patrick Watkins arrested an individual for DWI. The arrest [...]
Department News – Lacey Township Police Department – Several Law Enforcement Agencies Surprise 5 year-old Jaxon – May 21, 2021
The above photo depicts law enforcement officers from various agencies presenting 5 year-old Jaxon with several police patches for his "Tiny Superhero" cape. The photo was taken earlier this afternoon outside the Lanoka Harbor Elementary School in Lacey Township. Earlier this afternoon, members from various law enforcement agencies in Ocean County, along with representatives from the New Jersey State Police, responded to the Lanoka Harbor Elementary School in Lacey Township to meet outside with 5 year-old Jaxon. Jaxon, who is an honorary Lacey Township Special Police Officer, suffers from a genetic disorder called Neurofibromas, or NF-1 for short. His family has been making a “Tiny Superhero” cape for him, constructed of various law enforcement patches, including patches from all over New Jersey and other states. Today, Jaxon was provided with several more law enforcement patches for his cape. In addition to several law enforcement vehicles surrounding the front of the Lanoka Harbor Elementary School, the New Jersey State Police provided a helicopter flyover for Jaxon. All of us were very happy to meet with Jaxon and provide him with these additional patches. Jaxon is a huge fan of law enforcement. A few months back, for the Lion Scouts, he [...]
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – July 8 through July 15, 2021
Disorderly Conduct- On Saturday, July 10, 2021, at 9:21 p.m., Officers Brian Holt and Scott Keefe were dispatched to the Cedar Creek Trestle on the Rail Trail in reference to a fight. Officers discovered that a large group of juveniles were involved in a physical altercation prior to their arrival. One juvenile reported that her cell phone was stolen during the incident. Arrest- On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at 10:15 a.m., members of the detective bureau executed a search warrant at a Clearview Street residence. The warrant was sought in reference to an assault that took place inside the home on July 4, 2021. The homeowner, Daniel Hinton, was ultimately arrested and charged with Certain Persons Not to Possess a Weapon, Terroristic Threats, and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail. Arrest- On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at 8:45 a.m., detectives arrested a Forked River man in reference to a theft. The investigation began on June 18, 2021, when a victim reported that his vehicle was stolen from a Sunrise Beach residence. The investigation revealed that the homeowner, Bernard Kappen, sold the vehicle to a scrap company without [...]
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – July 1 through July 8, 2021
DWI- On Friday, July 2, 2021, at 4:11 p.m., several officers responded to the area of Riverview Road in reference to a driver going into the water. Officers eventually located the vehicle on Tamiami Road and deemed the driver under the influence. Robert Hahn, 59, pulled away from officers as he was being arrested leading to criminal charges of Resisting Arrest and Obstruction of Justice. Hahn was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing, and Reckless Driving. MVA- On Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 5:19 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Route 9 and First Street for a motor vehicle accident. Officers discovered that a vehicle left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. The pole was broken off at the base and was being suspended by the power lines. The accident caused Route 9 to be closed for approximately 12 hours. The 19 year-old female driver was uninjured. Arrest- On Saturday, July 3, 2021, at 2:57 p.m., multiple officers were dispatched to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting. Asset Protection reported that a male and female couple were observed concealing items inside a backpack prior to exiting through the garden [...]
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – June 24 through July 1, 2021
MVA- On Thursday, June 24, 2021, at 4:33 p.m., officers responded to the area of Lacey Road and Penn Avenue for a two-car MVA with injuries. The investigation revealed that the 59 year-old male driver of a 2019 Chevrolet Silverado fell asleep and collided with another vehicle. The second vehicle, a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, was being operated by a Lacey Township man. One driver was transported to a trauma center for injuries. Fraud- On Friday, June 25, 2021, at 11:12 a.m., Officer Jason Lee met with a Forked River resident reporting fraud. The victim claimed that she was notified by her current employer that she had applied for unemployment benefits. The victim later received notice in the mail in regard to the benefits that she did not apply for. The New Jersey Department of Labor was notified. Fraud- On Friday, June 25, 2021, at 6:12 p.m., Officer Keith Pearce met with a Lanoka Harbor resident. The victim reported that an unknown suspect opened a TD Bank account in her name. The account was discovered after the victim received a box of checks in the mail. MV Stop/Warrant Arrest- On Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 2:33 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Slota conducted [...]