Weekly Police Blotter

Theft- On Thursday, February 1, 2018, at 5:09 p.m., Officer Martin Julian responded to Charlie Brown’s Fresh Grill, 121 Route 9, Forked River.  The manager of the restaurant reported that a patron left without satisfying the bill for approximately $25.00.  The suspect left the restaurant in a vehicle.  The incident remains under investigation.  

Shoplifting Arrest – On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at 5:53 p.m., Officers Michael Hein and Julie Barcalow responded to Walmart on Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a shoplifter.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 45 year old Steven S. Hawk of Hickory Lane, Bayville, NJ.  Steven S. Hawk was observed concealing Donruss Elite NFL Trading Cards, valued at $29.98, in his pants and then exited through the front door bypassing the checkout registers.  Steven S. Hawk was also found to be in possession of 17 Xanex pills.  Steven S. Hawk was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after being charged on a criminal summons with shoplifting and possession of CDS.

Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at 1:36 p.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella conducted a motor vehicle stop on Liberty Way and Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a traffic offense.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 52-year-old Noel Gnecco of Redwood Drive, Bayville, NJ, who was found to have an active warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $10,000. Noel Gnecco was given a motor vehicle summons for Failure to Maintain Lane. She was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Jail after being unable to post bail.

Warrant Arrest – On Monday, January 29, 2018, at 8:22 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 near Taylor Lane in Forked River for a motor vehicle violation.  Investigation at the scene revealed that the passenger, 28-year-old Anthony P. Cipolletti of Tampa Road, Forked River, had an outstanding traffic warrant out of Berkeley Township Municipal Court for $1000.  Anthony Cipolletti was transported to police headquarters and processed.  Unable to post bail, he was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 10:19 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins conducted a motor vehicle stop on Arlington Avenue and Lakeside Drive in Forked River for a motor vehicle violation.  Investigation at the scene found the driver, 25-year-old Tyler A. Anderson, Deerrun Drive North, Barnegat, to have a suspended driver’s license and an outstanding traffic warrant for his arrest out of Stafford Township Municipal Court for $139.  Tyler Anderson was arrested, processed, and released after posting bail.

Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 11:07 p.m., Officer Jason Lee conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road near Lane Place, Forked River, for a motor vehicle violation.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 26-year-old Ignacio R. Velasquez of Adolphus Street in Forked River on an active warrant out of Woodland Township Municipal Court for $1000.  Ignacio Velasquez was transported to police headquarters and processed.  He was released on his own recognizance pending a future court date.  

Criminal Mischief – On Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 8:12 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to the 500 block of Lanlac Drive in Lanoka Harbor for a report of criminal mischief.  The homeowner reported damage to his mailbox in the amount of $150.00.  The incident occurred sometime during the overnight hours between January 27 and January 28, 2018.

Credit Card Fraud – On Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 11:29 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to police headquarters to take a report of credit card fraud.  The victim reported that someone had fraudulently been using his TD Bank debit card number from March of 2017 to January 25, 2018.  The unknown person(s) was using the card to pay their Comcast cable bill on several occasions totaling approximately $756. He contacted TD Bank and was provided with a new debit card.  At the time of this report, there are no suspects.  The incident remains under investigation.

Warrant Arrest – On Friday, January 26, 2018, at 5:38 p.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to the 700 block of Lake Barnegat Drive North in Lanoka Harbor to investigate a suspicious incident.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the suspect, 48-year-old John Triantafilakis of 33rd Street, Astoria, NY, for a warrant out of the Atlantic City Municipal Court in the amount of $1500.00.  He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and transported to the Ocean County Jail after being unable to post bail.

Illegal Dumping – On Friday, January 26, 2018, at 1:24 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to the Department of Public Works for a report of Illegal Dumping.  Video Surveillance captured two males placing trash bags into a recycling dumpster.  The owner of the vehicle was contacted and the incident was later resolved at the scene.   

• DUI & Possession of CDS – On Thursday, January 18, 2018, at 7:48 p.m. Officer Jesse Dalziel responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Beach Boulevard in Forked River for a two-car motor vehicle collision. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 35-year-old David Kuncken Jr. of Key West Drive in Forked River, NJ, for DUI and Possession of CDS. David Kuncken Jr. was transported to Lacey Township Police headquarters where he was processed and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, and Refusal to Submit Breath Samples. David Kuncken Jr. was also charged with Possession of 50 grams or Less of Marijuana. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
• Burglary (Auto) – On Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at 7:41 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins responded to the 1300 block of Leguene Avenue in Forked River for a report of burglary. The victim reported that some person(s) entered his vehicle between 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2018, and 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2018 and rummaged through the glove box. The victim reported that a one-dollar bill had been stolen. The vehicle was unlocked at the time of the incident.
• Suspicious Incident – On Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 4:52 p.m., Officers Julie Barcalow and Anthony Sarno were dispatched to the 1000 block of Montauk Drive in Forked River for a report of a suspicious incident. The caller reported that she had heard a female screaming for help in the marshland across the lagoon from her residence. A short time later, this agency received another call from a resident on the 400 block of Cedar Drive in Lanoka Harbor in reference to hearing a female in distress in the marshland behind his residence. The officers, along with the Lanoka Harbor Fire Company, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, NJ Forrest Fire Service, and the NJ State Police Aviation Division searched the marsh and wooded areas in between Cedar Drive and Montauk Drive. The areas were searched with the assistance of an infrared and thermal imaging drone and helicopter. No one was located after a three hour search of the area and no further reports were received.
• Burglary (Auto) – On Tuesday, January 16, 2018, at 12:19 p.m., Officer John Simonson responded to the 700 block of Amherst Road in Forked River for a report of theft. The victim reported that between 9:20 a.m. and 9:47 a.m. on January 16, 2018 some person(s) entered his vehicle and stole his wallet which had been sitting on top of the center console. The victim reported that the vehicle was unlocked and parked in the parking lot of the Lanoka Harbor Post Office, 402 Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, during the incident. The men’s black leather wallet contained his NJ Driver’s License, NJ Firearms ID Card, and two credit cards. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at $20.
• CDS Arrest – On Sunday January 14, 2018, at 8:35 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari was on patrol in the area of Laurel Boulevard when he when he received a hit on his mobile data terminal (MDT) indicating that the vehicle’s registration was Officer Baldasari conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle near the intersection of Laurel Boulevard and Oak Road.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 24-year-old Michael F. Rinato of Carolyn Court in Lanoka Harbor for possession of Marijuana. Michael Rinato was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with Possession of 50 Grams or Less of Marijuana.  Michael Rinato was also issued motor vehicle summonses for Unregistered Motor Vehicle and Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle.
• Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, January 14, 2018, at 9:36 a.m., Officer Darrell Nick was conducting a radar post in the area of Beach Boulevard and Biscayne Drive when he received a hit on his mobile data terminal (MDT) indicating that the vehicle registration was Officer Nick conducted a motor vehicle stop of that vehicle near the intersection of Beach Boulevard and Palm Beach Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 37-year-old Allison E. Connors of Ocean Gate, NJ, on an outstanding Berkeley Township Municipal Court criminal warrant in the bail amount of $500. Allison Connors was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and then turned over to the custody of the Berkeley Township Police Department.
• DUI Arrest – On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 9:43 p.m., Officers Christopher Meyler and Anthony Sarno responded to Enterprise Drive near the intersection of Independence Drive for a report of a one-car motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the vehicle was observed on the front lawn of a residence on the 300 block of Enterprise Drive. The vehicle had extensive damage from striking a rock, stop sign, and fence. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver of the vehicle, 40-year-old Phillip A. Scheller of Capstan Drive in Forked River, NJ, for Driving Under the Influence. Phillip Scheller was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Failure to Report an Accident. The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
• Water Leak – On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 7:22 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the 1200 block of Olds Street for a water leak. Water was flowing out of the shut off valve in front of the residence.  Lacey Municipal Utilities Authority responded but was unable to shut the water off. LMUA had to dig up the street in front of the residence and traffic in the area had to be re-routed as a result.
• Motor Vehicle Fire – On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 12:09 p.m., Officer George Resetar responded to the area of Weehawkin Avenue near Alpine Street in Forked River, for a report of a vehicle fire. The driver, who was the only occupant, had exited the vehicle prior to the arrival of officers. The Forked River Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The driver of the vehicle reported that he had just left Wawa, 800 Lacey Road in Forked River, when he observed his battery light come on. The driver said that he then saw smoke coming from under his hood and he immediately stopped and exited his vehicle before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire was not deemed suspicious by the Chief of the Forked River Fire Department.
• Suspicious Person – On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:39 a.m., Officer John McKee responded to JT’s Bagel Hut, 918 Lacey Road in Forked River for a report of a suspicious person who was asking patrons for money and claiming to be homeless. Officer McKee searched the area and located the subject on Gary Smith Way in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the subject, 38-year-old Jason L. Rumfield of Hunter Hills in Flemington, NJ, on two outstanding warrants, an Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department no bail warrant and a Hunterdon County Sheriff’s Department no bail warrant. Jason Rumfield was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and then transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility.
• Resisting Arrest & Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 9:35 a.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella was on patrol in the area of Wawa, 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, when he observed a subject who had an active warrant for his arrest. Officer Ricciardella approached the suspect, 25-year-old Kyle Pianetti of Briar Road in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, who subsequently took off running from him and refused his orders to stop. Officer Ricciardella chased Kyle Pianetti on foot and apprehended him a short distance later. Kyle Pianetti was placed under arrest on an outstanding Ocean County Sheriff’s Department no bail warrant. Kyle Pianetti was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with Resisting Arrest. Kyle Pianetti was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.
• Urinating In Public – On Friday, January 12, 2018, at 1:55 a.m., Officer Patrick Watkins and Sergeant Ron Buxton were in the rear parking lot of Lacey Township Police Headquarters when they observed a male vomiting on the side of the Wawa, 800 West Lacey Road in Forked River. Upon approaching the male subject to check his well-being, the officers observed him urinating on the side of the building. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of, 21-year-old Kyle F. Mitchell of Ashwood Place in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Kyle Mitchell was issued a special complaint summons at the scene for Urinating in Public.
• DUI Arrest – On Friday, January 12, 2018, at 12:53 a.m., Officer Jason Lee was on patrol when he observed a vehicle traveling north on Route 9 near Lakeside Drive South, failing to maintain its lane of travel. Officer Lee conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle on Lacey Road near Lake Barnegat Drive North for failure to maintain lane. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 31-year-old Jill A. Lameiras of Butler Boulevard in Bayville, NJ, for DUI. Jill Lameiras was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane.  The vehicle she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
• Theft – On Thursday, January 11, 2018, at 3:25 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to Caffrey’s Tavern, Route 9 North in Forked River, for a report of theft. The business owner reported that between 5:30 a.m. and 5:50 a.m. on January 11, 2018 four aluminum kegs had been stolen from a fenced-in area on the north side of the restaurant.  The total value of the aluminum kegs is $120. The theft was captured on video surveillance and the Lacey Township Detective Bureau is investigating.