Weekly Police Blotter

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 Lake residence in reference to the recovery of a stolen vehicle.  Once there, they met with the complainant and his recovered vehicle.  The victim reported that while having a gathering at his Manchester Township home, a partygoer took his Ford van without consent.  The suspect could not be located and the van was returned without damage.

Fraud- On Friday, December 27, 2019, at 7:40 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver met with a Lacey resident who reported fraudulent charges.  The victim stated that an unknown suspect opened a Pay Pal account using his personal information and made a $709 Internet purchase.

Warrant Arrest- On Friday, December 27, 2019, at 10:41 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver arrested Robert Caballero, 46.  The arrest was made in connection with an outstanding warrant issued by the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department.  Caballero was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

Theft- On Saturday, December 28, 2019, at 5:15 p.m., a 47 year-old man reported being assaulted on the Rail Trail near the Lacey Business Park.  The victim reported that while riding north on the trail, unknown suspects pushed him down and stole his bicycle.  The victim was also the suspect in an earlier investigation involving an assault and criminal mischief on the trail.

Fire- On Sunday, December 30, 2019, at 4:20 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to Eno’s Park in reference to a fire.  The caller reported that upon entering the park bathroom he discovered a fire in the garbage can.  The Forked River Fire Department and the Ocean County Fire Marshal responded.  The fire caused minimal damage.

Arrest- On Tuesday, December 31, 2019, at 4:45 p.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella conducted a motor vehicle stop at the intersection of Route 9 and First Street.  During the stop, it was discovered that the driver, Dillon Dittenhofer, 33, was driving while his privileges were suspended.  Additionally, three municipal court warrants were discovered from Lacey Township, Stafford Township, and Ocean Gate.  Dittenhofer was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,614.

Fire- On Thursday, January 2, 2020, at 4:22 a.m., Lacey Police responded to a 911 call for a reported structure fire.  Upon arriving at the Constitution Drive residence, Officer Patrick Watkins observed flames on the exterior of the home.  The Lanoka Harbor and Forked River Fire Departments responded to extinguish the fire.  The sole occupant of the home escaped without injury.  The fire appeared to start on the exterior of the home and spread inward causing extensive damage.  Detective Brian Flynn and the Ocean County Fire Marshal are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

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 Saturday, December 21, 2019, at 3:10 p.m., officers were dispatched to Wawa, 444 Route 9, in reference to a suspicious male.  Upon arrival, officers located Charles Maulbeck, 46.  During an inquiry, officers discovered that Maulbeck was wanted by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department for a Child Support Warrant.  Maulbeck was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing.  Prior to being transferred to the Ocean County Correctional Facility, four additional Municipal Court warrants from Brick and South Toms River were discovered.

Arrest- On Monday, December 23, 2019, at 8:35 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins was dispatched to an aggressive driver call.  Officer Watkins was able to locate the vehicle in a commercial lot on Route 9.  While speaking to the driver, Dylan Hahn, 30, Officer Watkins observed a hypodermic syringe inside the vehicle.  Further investigation led to the arrest of Hahn and the discovery of additional syringes and an amount of heroin.  Hahn was charged with Possession of Heroin and Possession of Hypodermic Syringes.  He was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail.

Fire- On Tuesday, December 24, 2019, at 10:47 a.m., officers and the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department were dispatched to an East Hickory Drive residence after receiving a 911 call.  Officers discovered that a fire had originated inside the oven and was extinguished by the homeowner prior to their arrival.  Lanoka Fire assisted by ventilating the home.

MVA- On Tuesday, December 24, 2019, at 12:00 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Sunrise Boulevard for a motor vehicle accident.  On scene it was discovered that a motorcycle driven by a Toms River man collided with the rear of a vehicle stopped in traffic.  The motorcycle’s operator was transported to a local hospital for non-threatening injuries.

Fire Alarm- On Thursday, December 26, 2019, at 12:13 a.m., officers and the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department responded to the Lacey High School for an alarm activation.  Firemen discovered that a HVAC unit on the roof of the building had seized causing the alarm to sound.  No further damage was caused.

Arrest- On Friday, December 13, 2019, at 1:06 a.m., Officers Jesse Dalziel and Dallas Gant observed a vehicle parked near the bay at the end of Laurel Boulevard.  While investigating, it was discovered that the driver, David Thompson, 22, was in possession of marijuana.  Thompson was ultimately arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  He was released on his own recognizance.

Fraud- On Friday, December 13, 2019, at 7:11 p.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to Wawa, 701 Route 9, in reference to fraud.  A worker reported that a $100 bill was accepted for a purchase and it was later determined to be counterfeit.  Surveillance video from the store is being used to identify the patron.

MVA- On Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 10:39 a.m., Special Officer Chris Triano witnessed a vehicle back into another vehicle at the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9.  As Officer Triano approached the vehicle it appeared that the driver, a 70 year-old man, was in a medical emergency.  Officer Triano was able to force his way into the vehicle and render first aid.

Shoplifting- On Saturday, December 14, 2019, at 11:24 p.m., officers responded to Kohl’s in reference to a shoplifter.  Loss Prevention employees reported that a female suspect left the store after concealing clothing valued at $300.  The store’s surveillance video is being used to identify the actor.

Stalking- On Monday, December 16, 2019, at 11:05 a.m., a Township resident contacted police reporting a suspicious incident.  It was reported that a female resident of the home was followed to her driveway by another vehicle the night prior.  The vehicle returned again the following morning entering the driveway of the home prior to leaving the area.  Police were able to identify the driver of the vehicle as John O’Neill, 32, of Forked River.  Further investigation led to criminal complaints being signed against O’Neill for Harassment and Stalking.  He was arrested and transferred to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.

Arrest- On Monday, December 16, 2019, at 8:39 p.m., Officer Randolph Plis was investigating a matter at the Lacey Inn when he encountered John Redunski, of Barnegat.  During an inquiry, Officer Plis discovered an active warrant for Redunski, 52, issued by the Union County Sheriff’s Department.  Redunski was taken into custody and eventually turned over to Union County Sheriff’s Officers.

Fraud- On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 4:40 p.m., a Forked River resident arrived at headquarters in reference to fraudulent credit card activity.  The victim stated that an unknown actor used his credit card information to make cash withdrawals and purchases in New York.  The theft is valued at $1,470.

Arrest- On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at 7:30 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins and Scott Keefe served an arrest warrant issued by the New Brunswick Municipal Court.  Tristan Scheiner, 22, was arrested at her Forked River home and later posted cash bail.  She was released pending a Court appearance.

DWI- On Friday, December 6, 2019, at 3:10 p.m., dispatch received a phone call concerning an intoxicated driver.  Officers Michael Hutman and Anthony Ravallo were able to locate the vehicle on Adolphus Street.  The driver, Randy Miles, 52, was ultimately arrested and transported to headquarters.  Prior to being released, Myles was charged with DWI and Reckless Driving.

Burglary- On Saturday, December 7, 2019, at 9:50 p.m., Officer Randolph Plis was dispatched to a Brookdale Park Drive residence in reference to a vehicle burglary.  The victim reported that someone had entered her vehicle and stole an amount of cash and a debit card.  The vehicle was parked in the victim’s driveway at the time of the theft.

Burglary- On Sunday, December 8, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., Officer John Simonson was dispatched to a Brightwood Drive residence after the homeowner reported a theft. The victim stated that someone entered his vehicle that was parked in the driveway stealing a cell phone and a credit card.  The theft is valued at $100.

Arrest- On Sunday, December 8, 2019, at 8:45 a.m., Officer Michael Hein arrested Amy Haas, 45.  Haas was arrested at the Dollar General in connection with an outstanding warrant.  Haas was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of the $750 Lacey Municipal Court warrant.

DWI- On Sunday, December 8, 2019, at 2:04 p.m., Officer Michael Hutman conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road.  During the stop, it was determined that the driver, Rachel Horsburgh, 26, of Toms River, was under the influence.  During her arrest, officers located an amount of heroin and cocaine in addition to drug paraphernalia.  A passenger in the vehicle, Joseph Storino, 45, was also arrested at the scene.  Both subjects were charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Cocaine, and Possession of Drug Paraphernaila.  Horsburgh was additionally charged with DWI.  Horsburgh and Storino were both released on their own recognizance in accordance with bail reform.

Road Closure- On Monday, December 9, 2019, at 7:30 a.m., officers responded to a fallen tree at the intersection of Lakeside Driver South and Serpentine Drive.  Once arriving, it was discovered that a large tree fell during rainy conditions and landed partially in the roadway.  Additionally the tree caused damage to utility wires and the residence located on the same property.  Lakeside Drive South was closed between Hillwood Drive and Deerhead Lake Drive for a large portion of the day.  The Lacey Township Department of Public Works, JCP&L, and Verizon worked to clear the area and replace a utility pole damaged during the incident.

Theft- On Monday, December 9, 2019, at 5:46 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno took a theft report from a Bayville resident.  The victim stated that while working at a Lacey Township business, an unknown actor stole her engagement ring.  Further investigation by Detective Gudgeon led to the arrest of Devon Horvath, 27, of Pine Beach.  Horvath was charged with Theft and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail.  The ring was valued at $3,000.

Aggravated Assault- On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 12:50 a.m., officers responded to Tom Gray Court in reference to a verbal altercation.  Once arriving, officers found the actor, a 17 year-old Bayville juvenile, behind the wheel of a parked vehicle.  The juvenile ignored any instructions given to him by the officers and drove away with Officer Carver partially inside the vehicle.  The vehicle was last seen driving recklessly on Route 9 as it passed other vehicles.  The vehicle was located after it left the roadway for an unknown reason and crashed in Berkeley Township.  The juvenile was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer and Eluding.  Multiple motor vehicle summonses are forthcoming.

DWI- On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 5:35 p.m., Officers Andrew Slota and Jason Lee responded to Frazee Place in reference to a motor vehicle accident.  Officers discovered that a vehicle driven by Nicholas Taps, 44, had collided with a parked vehicle.  As the investigation continued, officers placed Taps under arrest for driving while impaired.  Taps was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI and Reckless Driving prior to being released on his own recognizance.

Motor Vehicle Accident- On Wednesday, December 11, 2019, at 2:55 p.m., Officers Jeffrey Slota and Alan Abrecht were dispatched to Route 539 at Mile Post 20.  Upon their arrival, several officers from the Manchester Township Police Department were on scene with a one-car crash.  It appeared that a southbound vehicle had crossed the northbound lane and crashed into the wooded area adjacent to the road.  The victim, a 22 year-old female, was airlifted to a trauma center for extensive injuries.  The accident is being investigated by Sergeant George Resetar and Officer Darrell Nick.