Weekly Police Blotter

Weekly Police Blotter

September 2nd thru September 8th, 2015

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• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Monday, September 7, 2015, at 2:19 p.m., Officers Kymberly Gudgeon and Jeffrey Slota responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a male shoplifter in custody. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 27-year-old Kevin Hayes of Chelsea Avenue in Ocean Gate, NJ for shoplifting merchandise valued at $193.66. He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Shoplifting.

• Criminal Mischief – On Monday, September 7, 2015, at 11:53 a.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to the 1400 block of Clearview Street in Forked River for criminal mischief. The complainant reported that between 11:00 p.m. on September 6, 2015 and 10:00 a.m. on September 7, 2015, an unknown person or persons damaged the center of his garage door causing damage in the amount of $300.

• Criminal Mischief – On Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 7:42 p.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas responded to TD Bank, located at 106 Route 9 North in Forked River, for damage to the front door. Over the weekend, an unknown person or persons cracked the glass on the front door leading to the ATM machine causing damage in the amount of $200.

• Criminal Mischief – On Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 3:10 p.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to the Lacey Township High School, located at 73 Haines Street in Lanoka Harbor, for a criminal mischief report. The complainant reported that between 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 4, 2015 and 1:00 p.m., on Sunday, September 6, 2015, an unknown person or persons vandalized several pieces of equipment at the rear of the high school. The damage included but was not limited to several soccer nets that were cut from the frames and several traffic cones that were cut in half. Additionally, garbage was found thrown about the baseball dugouts. The damage is estimated at approximately $1,000. The incident is under investigation.

• Criminal Mischief – On Friday, September 6, 2015, at 11:40 a.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to the 1400 block of Kenney Street in Forked River for damage to a vehicle. The complainant reported that between 5:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on September 6, 2015, an unknown person or persons dented and scratched a vehicle that was parked in the driveway. In addition, the unknown person or persons removed mulch from the front mulch bed of the residence and threw it on to the driveway. The damage to the vehicle is estimated at $300.

• Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Sunday, September 6, 2015, at 12:00 a.m., Officer Evan Androcy conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road and Lake Barnegat Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 30-year-old Jon C. Pinol of Don Connor Boulevard in Jackson, NJ, for Possession of Marijuana. He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In addition, he was issued traffic summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane and CDS in a Motor Vehicle.

• Fireworks (Formal Summons) – On Saturday, September 5, 2015, at 9:06 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the 1700 block of Anchorage Drive in Forked River for a fireworks complaint. Investigation at the scene resulted in a Special Form of Complaint and Summons being issued for Possessing and Using Fireworks to 42-year-old Joseph M. Siragusa of Erie Street in Jersey City, NJ.

• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Friday, September 4, 2015, at 6:42 p.m., Officers Michael Verwey and John McKee responded to Kohl’s, located at 304 Route 9 North in Forked River, for a report of shoplifting. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest 35-year-old Jennifer Modestino of Devon Street in Forked River for shoplifting merchandise valued at $142.20. In addition, a 17-year-old juvenile male from Forked River was also arrested for shoplifting merchandise valued at $85.64. Both suspects were transported to police headquarters and processed. Jennifer Modestino was charged with Shoplifting. The juvenile male was released to his father after being charged on a juvenile complaint with Shoplifting.

• Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Theft from a Person (Arrest) – On Friday, September 4, 2015, at 2:52 a.m., Officers Scott Keefe, and John McKee responded to the 2200 block of Brookdale Place in Forked River for a dispute between friends over a cellular phone. Upon arrival, the victim advised officers that the accused, 30-year-old Michael Cerami of Brookdale Place in Forked River, had stolen his cellular phone and left the residence on foot. The victim advised the dispute became physical both inside and outside the residence, and at one point, the accused displayed a knife. Officers located Michael Cerami at a residence located on the 2000 block of Llewellyn Parkway in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Michael Cerami for theft of the cell phone. After being informed of the arrest, Michael Cerami resisted; however, he was taken in to custody. Michael Cerami was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Resisting Arrest, and Theft from a Person.

• DUI (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 5.52 p.m., Officers Evan Androcy and Christopher Meyler responded to the Wawa, located at 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of an intoxicated female driver in a vehicle in the parking lot. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 30-year-old Stephanie P. Hunter of Ocean Gate Avenue in Ocean Gate, NJ for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Stephanie Hunter was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle, and Failure to Exhibit Driver’s License. The vehicle Stephanie Hunter was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

• Urinating in Public and Warrant (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 2:17 a.m., Officer Michael Verwey was patrolling Haines Street in Lanoka Harbor when he observed a male and female urinating outside of a vehicle parked near the Haines Street entrance to Walmart, 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor. Officer Verwey made contact with the individuals, identified as 45-year-old Kevin Penn of Pacific Avenue in Beachwood, NJ, and 26-year-old Michele D. Baig of Holiday place in Waretown, NJ. They were both issued a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for Urinating in Public. In addition, Kevin Penn was arrested on an outstanding Toms River Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $150. Kevin Penn was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was released after posting bail.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 1:53 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno was on patrol in the area of Route 9 South and Taylor Lane when he observed an adult male operating an off-road vehicle (Quad) on the roadway and turn into the Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River. Officer Sarno conducted a traffic stop on the off-road vehicle and met with the driver, identified as 46-year-old Marc C. Buchta of Jay Street in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to Marc Buchta’s arrest on an outstanding Ocean County Sheriff’s Department warrant in the amount of $157. The off-road vehicle was impounded. Marc Buchta was transported to police headquarters and processed. Marc Buchta was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail. In addition, he received traffic summonses for Driving with a Suspended License, Driving an Unregistered Off Road Vehicle, Driving an Uninsured Off Road Vehicle, Not Wearing a Helmet, and Operating an Off Road Vehicle on a Public Street.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 3, 2015, at 12:17 a.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the 600 block of Beach Boulevard in Forked River to serve an arrest warrant. Upon arrival Officer Keefe met with the accused, identified as 25-year-old Kyle Conroy of Beach Boulevard in Forked River. Officer Keefe arrested him on an outstanding Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $142. Kyle Conroy was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was released after posting bail.

Weekly Police Blotter

August 25th thru September 1st, 2015

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• Drug Manufacturing and Intent to Distribute (Arrests) – On the evening of Tuesday, September 1, 2105, Lacey detectives executed a residential search warrant at 503 Knollwood Court in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. The warrant was sought as part of a narcotics investigation. During the search, detectives recovered individual packages of Marijuana, drug paraphernalia including scales, and 27 Marijuana plants. The owner of the home, 54-year-old Lisandro Morales, and his son, 21-year-old Justian Morales, were both arrested at the scene. Lisandro Morales was charged with Manufacturing Marijuana while Justian Morales was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Lisandro Morales was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $50,000 bail. Justian Morales was released on his own recognizance pending a Court appearance.

• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Monday, August 31, 2015, at 10:35 a.m., Officers Frederick Anderson and Jason Lee responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a male shoplifter in custody. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 37-year-old Marco Borga of Muriel Parkway in Elizabeth, NJ, for shoplifting merchandise valued at $289.81. He was transported to police headquarters, processed and charged with Shoplifting.

• Theft – On Monday, August 31, 2015, at 8:08 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 1700 block of Lakeside Drive South in Forked River for a theft report. The victim reported that between 12:00 a.m., and 7:30 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015, an unknown person or persons stole his gray plastic mailbox valued at $200 and a light and motion sensor that was attached to the mailbox valued at $50. The total theft is estimated at $250.

• Theft from a Vehicle and Criminal Mischief – On Monday, August 31, 2015, at 8:01 a.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to the 600 block of Drew Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for a theft report. The victim reported that between 10:00 p.m., on Sunday, August 30, 2015 and 8:00 a.m., on Monday, August 31, 2015, an unknown person or persons forced entry in to his work vehicle and stole $500 in cash and loose change. It appears entry into the vehicle was gained by the removing the weather-stripping and forcing the window down. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $100. The incident is under investigation.

• Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 8:50 p.m., Sergeant Ronald Buxton and Officer Charles May responded to Sinclair Avenue in Lanoka Harbor to serve an arrest warrant. The accused, 22-year-old Britney Gartner of Predmore Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, was arrested on an outstanding Ocean County Sheriff’s Department warrant in the amount of $25,000. Britney Gartner was transported to police headquarters, processed, and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

• Structure Fire – On Sunday, August 30, 2015, at 3:36 p.m., Officers Frederick Anderson and Jeffrey Slota responded to the 400 block of Newport Road in Forked River for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, officers learned that the fire was contained to a shed in the backyard. The Forked River Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The fire caused minor damage to the siding of the residence as well. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to the scene and is investigating.

• Burglary, Theft, and Simple Assault (Arrests) – On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 7:33 p.m., a 45-year-old male from Forked River responded to this agency to report an assault. The victim reported that he was dropping a family member off at a residence on the 1700 block of Pineview Road in Forked River when he was approached by two adult males who began striking him while attempting to pull him out of his vehicle. The victim reported that his attackers stole his cell phone after the assault. The victim was able to drive away and immediately responded to this agency to report the incident. Officers John McKee, Charles May, and Andrew Slota responded to the scene to investigate. An investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 51-year-old Terrence P. Bacon of Pineview Road in Forked River for Burglary, Theft, and Simple Assault. Terrence Bacon was transported to police headquarters. He was charged with Burglary and Assault with bail set in the amount of $20,000. In addition, a second male, identified as 48-year-old Kevin A. Bacon of Pineview Road in Forked River was also charged with Burglary, Theft, and Assault with bail set in the amount of $20,000. At 5:00 a.m. on August 30, 2015, Kevin Bacon turned himself in at Lacey Township Police Headquarters. Kevin Bacon was processed and released after utilizing a bondsman to post his $20,000 bail.

• Warrant Arrest and Hindering Apprehension – On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 5:00 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the Bamber Lake parking area for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer Sarno observed a vehicle which was being operated without its lights on. Officer Sarno conducted a traffic stop and met with the driver who initially provided a false name. Upon further investigation, the driver was identified as 37-year-old Nicholas Mackie of Cable Drive in Beachwood, NJ. Nicholas Mackie was placed under arrest on an outstanding Lakewood Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $250 and an Ocean County Sheriff’s Office warrant in the amount of $15,000. In addition, he was arrested for Hindering Apprehension by providing the false information. Nicholas Mackie was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Hindering Apprehension. Additional bail was set in the amount of $2,500 on the Hindering Apprehension charge. He was also charged with Failure to Produce a Registration Card, Failure to Produce an Insurance Card, and Driving with a Suspended License. Nicholas Mackie was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

• DUI (Arrest) – On Saturday, August 29, 2015, at 12:20 a.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas conducted a traffic stop on Route 9 South near the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 59-year-old Eleanor Maurio of Allison Way in Barnegat, NJ, for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and issued summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Speeding. The vehicle she was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Friday, August 28, 2015, at 5:22 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for an adult female shoplifter in custody. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 35-year-old Amanda Malinowski of Brentwood Place in Forked River for shoplifting merchandise valued at $14. She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Shoplifting.

• Warrant Arrest – On Friday, August 28, 2015, at 11:48 p.m., Officer Charles May conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of a passenger, identified as 29-year-old Matthew Clinton of Devon Street in Forked River, on an outstanding Barnegat Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $500. Matthew Clinton was transported to police headquarters and processed. Matthew Clinton was released ROR as decided by the Barnegat Township Municipal Court.

• Heroin and Cocaine Distribution (Arrest) – On the afternoon of Thursday, August 27, 2015, Lieutenant Patrick Ganley of the Lacey Township Police Department was approached by a concerned citizen who reported that a suspicious person drove behind the self-wash bays of the Lacey Car Wash and briefly entered a wooded area. The citizen reported that the male subject appeared to have placed an unknown object in the wooded area prior to departing in a newer model Mustang. Lieutenant Ganley searched the area and located a clear jar containing more than 160 folds of Heroin and a bag containing what appeared to be approximately 1/2 ounce of powdered Cocaine. An immediate surveillance was established and within minutes, the vehicle returned with a second vehicle following immediately behind.  The male suspect was confronted by Lieutenant Ganley as the suspect attempted to retrieve the narcotics from the wooded area. Lieutenant Ganley and Lacey detectives arrested 37-year-old Luis Quintana of Toms River. Louis Quintana was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters, processed, and charged with Possession of a Heroin and Cocaine, Intent to Distribute Heroin, and Intent to Distribute Cocaine.  The investigation revealed that although Luis Quintana was from Toms River, NJ, he recently had been staying at the Lacey Inn on Route 9 in Forked River. Luis Quintana was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $75,000 bail. A male passenger, 31-year-old Robert Sammis of Bayville, NJ, who was in the second vehicle, was arrested at the scene and charged with Loitering or Wandering to Obtain a Controlled Dangerous Substance after officers, discovered that he was at the location specifically to purchase Heroin from Quintana.  Sammis also had an outstanding no-bail warrant for a violation of the Intensive Supervision Program (ISP) as a condition of Parole.  Robert Sammis was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility with no bail option. The drugs seized consisted of 162 folds containing Heroin and approximately ½ ounce of Cocaine.  The combined street value of the CDS is estimated at $2,500.

• Criminal Mischief – On Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at 11:15 a.m., Officer Christopher Melyer responded to the 400 block of Center Street in Forked River for reports of criminal mischief to mailboxes. The victims reported that between 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, an unknown person or persons knocked their mailboxes off of the posts causing damage in the amount of $50 each for the two reported incidents.

• Criminal Mischief – On Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at 9:02 a.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to the 400 block of Lake Barnegat Drive in Forked River for a damaged mailbox. The complainant reported that between 12:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. on August 25, 2015, an unknown person or persons damaged his mailbox. The damage is estimated at $50.

• Criminal Mischief – On Tuesday, August 25, 2015, at 4:20 p.m., Officer Christopher Meyler responded to the 200 block of Quail Lane South in Lanoka Harbor for a criminal mischief report. The victim reported that between 7:00 p.m., on August 24, 2015, and 6:30 a.m., on August 25, 2015, an unknown person or persons threw a wooden sculpture at her pool cover causing a one foot wide hole. The damage is estimated at $200.

Weekly Police Blotter

August 18th thru August 24th, 2015

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• Criminal Mischief – On Monday, August 24, 2015, at 8:34 a.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to the 800 block of Sunrise Boulevard for a report of criminal mischief. The victim reported that between 4:30 p.m. on August 21, 2015 and 8:30 a.m. on August 24, 2015, an unknown person or persons slashed two tires on his box trailer and a rear tire of his work truck. The damage is estimated at $400.

• Warrant Arrest – On Monday, August 24, 2015, at 11:00 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle failing to maintain its lane of travel on Lacey Road. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 18-year-old Michael Mitchell of East Main Street in Tuckerton, NJ, on an outstanding Howell Township Municipal Court traffic warrant in the amount of $164. Michael Mitchell was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released after posting full bail.

• DUI (Arrest) – On Saturday, August 22, 2015 at 9:21 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey and a member of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office were working a special Drunk Driving Enforcement detail when they conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle On Route 9 South near Taylor Lane. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 61-year-old Donald Moriarty of Hoover Avenue in Bloomfield, NJ, for DUI. Donald Moriarty was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with DUI, Refusal to Provide Breath Samples, Reckless Driving, Uninsured Vehicle, and Open Container. The vehicle he was operating was impounded at the scene pursuant to John’s Law.

• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Friday, August 21, 2015, at 7:44 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins and Officer John Simonson responded to Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, for a report of Shoplifting. The Loss Prevention employee reported that he observed 19-year-old Vinny A. Elgazzar of Sunrise Boulevard in Forked River, NJ and 18-year-old Taylor L. Goodheart of Center Street in Forked River, NJ, place several items in their purses and then observed them attempt to leave the store without paying for the merchandise. Vinny Elgazzar and Taylor Goodheart were both placed under arrest and transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters, where they were processed and charged. Vinny Elgazzar was charged with shoplifting $78.48 worth of merchandise and Taylor Goodheart was charged with shoplifting $8.36 worth of merchandise.

• Warrant Arrest – On Friday, August 21, 2015, at 7:35 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno was on patrol when he observed 28-year-old Jenell Generally of Lakeside Drive in Forked River who was found to have outstanding warrants for her arrest. Officer Sarno arrested Jenell Generally on two outstanding warrants. Warrant (1) was an Ocean Gate Borough Court traffic warrant in the amount of $750. Warrant (2) was an Ocean Township Municipal Court traffic warrant in the amount $100. Jenell Generally was subsequently released on her own recognizance by the court clerk of each jurisdiction.

• Suspended Driver & Warrant Arrest – On Friday, August 21, 2015, at 2:21 p.m., Officer Jason Lee was on patrol when he observed 22-year-old Ashley Frank of Sunrise Boulevard in Forked River, NJ, driving while suspended. Officer Lee conducted a motor vehicle stop and issued Ashley Frank a motor vehicle summons for driving while suspended. Officer Lee also recognized the passenger as 29-year-old Matthew Clinton of Devon Street in Forked River, NJ, who had an active arrest warrant. Matthew Clinton was arrested on an outstanding Berkeley Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $500. Mathew Clinton was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released after posting full cash bail.

• DUI (Arrest) – On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 11:23 p.m., Officer Dimitrios Tsarnas was working a special Drunk Driving Enforcement detail when he observed a vehicle failing to maintain its lane as it was traveling west on Lacey Road. Officer Tsarnas conducted a motor of the vehicle and determined that the driver, 50-year-old Steven M. Vessell of Lexington Avenue in Toms River, NJ, was DUI. Steven Vessel was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with DUI, Refusal to Submit Breath Samples, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle he was operating was impounded at the scene pursuant to John’s Law.

• Warrant Arrest – On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 10:01 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins responded to Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River, NJ, in reference to a female asking store patrons for money. The female was identified as 48-year-old Kathleen Cafiero of Stephanie Court in Forked River, NJ. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Kathleen Cafiero on an outstanding Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court in the amount of $139. Kathleen Cafiero was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and released on her own recognizance by the Point Pleasant Beach Municipal Court clerk.

• Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 8:42 a.m., Officer Keith Pearce responded to the area of the Heart Building, located at 731 Lacey Road in Forked River, NJ, in reference to a male who had reportedly shoplifted from the Wawa who was being chased by a store patron. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 23-year-old Jose Reyes of 42^nd Street in Astoria, NY, for shoplifting $120 worth of gum from Wawa, located at 800 Lacey Road, Forked River. Jose Reyes was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with Shoplifting.

• Warrant Arrest – On Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at 11:43 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno conducted a motor vehicle stop of a vehicle that was failing to maintain its lane of travel. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 21-year-old Foulton Bryant of West States Street in Trenton, NJ, on an outstanding Ewing Township Municipal Court traffic warrant in the amount of $925. Foulton Bryant was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where was processed and released on his own recognizance by the Ewing Township Municipal Court Clerk.