Police Blotter 1Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release

October 22nd, 2014 thru October 27th, 2014

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  • DUI (Arrest) – On Monday, October 27, 2014, at 10:59 p.m., Officer Evan Androcy conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road near Penn Avenue North in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 36-year-old Jason Mangan of Marquis Street in Toms River, NJ, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle Jason Mangan was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Theft – On Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at 1:08 a.m., Officer Evan Androcy received a report of a theft that was alleged to have occurred at a residence on the 500 block of Conifer Drive in Forked River. The victim reported that during the evening hours of Monday, October 27, 2014, he was visiting a friend on Conifer Drive when his ring valued at $260 went missing. The victim believes the ring was stolen from his possession while at the residence. The victim has identified a suspect and the matter is under investigation.

  • Shoplifting and Warrant (Arrest) – On Monday, October 27, 2014, at 4:02 p.m., Officers George Resetar and John Simonson responded to 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 33-year-old Dana J. Kutassy of Cabot Street in Forked River for shoplifting merchandise valued at $ 106.54. In addition, Dana Kutassy was found to have an outstanding no-bail arrest warrant from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Dana Kutassy was transported to police headquarters and processed. Dana Kutassy was charged with shoplifting with bail set in the amount of $5,000. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of both his $5,000 bail and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department no-bail warrant.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, October 26, 2014, at 2:07 a.m., Officer Michael Verwey conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road near Holmes Avenue North in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 26-year-old Darnell T. Braggs of Penn Place in Forked River, on two outstanding warrants. Warrant number one (1) was issued by the Manchester Township Municipal Court in the amount of $503 and warrant number two (2) was issued by the Toms River Municipal Court in the amount of $350. Darnell Braggs was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was turned over to the custody of the Manchester Township Police Department. Darnell Braggs was issued traffic summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane and Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License.

  • Vehicular Homicide (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 18, 2014, at 6:02 a.m., Officers George Resetar and Michael Eden responded to Route 539, mile marker 16, for a two-car head-on motor vehicle accident. The accident was determined to be a fatal crash. The Lacey Township Police Department’s Fatal Accident Support Team, along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit (CIU) responded. The deceased was identified as 54-year-old Suzanne Kessler of Whiting, New Jersey. Suzanne Kessler was traveling in the southbound lane of Route 539 when her Chevy Cavalier was struck by a Cadillac Deville being operated by 27-year-old Kenneth M. Busardo of 12 Nantucket Avenue in Barnegat, NJ. Kenneth M. Busardo was traveling northbound on Route 539 when his car travelled into the sound bound lane striking Suzanne Kessler’s vehicle. Kenneth M. Busardo received minor injuries in the crash and refused medical treatment. Kenneth M. Busardo was transported to Southern Ocean County Hospital by investigating officers to have his blood drawn for analysis as part of the investigation into the cause of the fatal accident. There were no other occupants in either vehicle. On Saturday, October 25, 2014, after the completion of a follow-up investigation, Officer George Resetar signed a criminal complaint charging 27-year-old Kenneth M. Busardo of Barnegat, NJ, with the 2nd Degree crime of Vehicular Homicide as well as the associated motor vehicle violations. Impairment due to the use of Heroin served as the basis for motor vehicle charges of DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain a Lane as well as the 2nd Degree criminal charge of Vehicular Homicide. At 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014, Officer Resetar arrested Kenneth M. Busardo at his residence in Barnegat and after completing the necessary processing at Lacey Township Police Headquarters, Kenneth M. Busardo was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility with bail set at $250,000.

  • Theft –On Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 11:45 p.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas responded to the 800 block of Buena Vista Road in Forked River for a theft. The victim reported that between the morning hours and 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2014, an unknown person or persons stole his medication consisting of several Oxycodone pills. The victim reported that during the hours of the theft, he had people inside his home whom he invited over. The theft is estimated at $150. The investigation is ongoing.

  • Structure Fire (Residence) – On Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 2:23 p.m., the Lacey Township Police Department received a 911 call reporting a residential structure fire on the 2000 block of Crestwood Drive in Forked River with possible entrapment. Sergeant Vincent Meehan along with Officers Michael Eden and Keith Pearce responded. Upon their arrival, flames were seen coming from the west side of the residence. Officers made forced entry into the residence and determined that there was no one inside. The Forked River Fire Department arrived on scene and extinguished the blaze. One of the original callers, an adult female, suffered smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene by the Lacey Township EMS. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to investigate.

  • Possession of CDS, Obstructing the Administration of Law, and Warrant (Arrest) – On Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 4:53 a.m., Officers Charles May and John McKee responded to the 400 block of Woodlawn Drive in Forked River for report of an assault. As a result, 34-year-old John J. Platt was arrested. Additionally, a Barnegat Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $500 was located for his arrest. Upon arrest, John Platt was also found to be in possession of Marijuana. John Platt was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with Threats, Assault, Obstructing the Administration of Law, and Possession of Marijuana. John Platt was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail set at $10,000. He was also lodged on the Barnegat Township warrant.

  • Underage Possession/Consumption of Alcohol – On Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 12:31 a.m., Officers Scott Keefe, Charles May, and John McKee responded to Hill Top Court in Lanoka Harbor for complaints of a loud party at 3 Hill Top Court. As a result, the new resident, 20-year-old Joaquim Narciso formerly of Parkway Boulevard in South Toms River, was issued a complaint summons for loud music. He had already been provided with a warning earlier in the evening as a result of neighborhood complaints. In addition, Joaquim Narciso received a complaint summons for Underage Consumption of Alcohol.

  • Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Friday, October 24, 2014, at 4:06 p.m., Officers Scott Keefe and Kymberly Gudgeon responded to 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 18-year-old Connor R. Fitzpatrick of Yorktown Drive in Forked River for shoplifting merchandise with a total value of $20.18. Additionally, it was determined that he had also was involved in a prior shoplifting incident October 14, 2014. Connor R. Fitzpatrick was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after receiving a criminal summons for each shoplifting incident.

  • Dispute and Underage Consumption of Alcohol (Formal Charge) – On Friday, October 24, 2014, at 11:56 p.m., Officers Adam Ewart and John McKee responded to the area of Joffre Road and Ewart Road in Forked River for a report of two people having a dispute. Investigation at the scene led to a 17-year-old juvenile female from Brookdale Park Drive in Forked River being taken into custody for Underage Consumption of Alcohol. The juvenile female was transported to police headquarters and released to her parent after being charged on a juvenile complaint with the Underage Consumption of Alcohol.

  • DUI with Accident – On Friday, October 24, 2014, at 2:34 a.m., Officer Adam Ewart responded to the 600 block of Sunrise Boulevard in Forked River for a report of a traffic accident. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 22-year-old Sarah N. Leary of Tiller Drive in Forked River for DUI. Sarah Leary was traveling eastbound on Sunrise Boulevard when she failed to maintain her lane of travel and struck four parked vehicles. Sarah Leary was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle Sarah Leary was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Criminal Attempt Burglary (Residence) –On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at 5:21 p.m., Lieutenant Christopher Kenny responded to Sunset Drive in Forked River for an attempted burglary. The complainant stated that between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, an unknown person or persons attempted to force entry into the rear of the residence while the residence was unoccupied. Although the rear door was partially forced open, it does not appear access was gained. The incident is under investigation.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at 5:15 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the 400 block of Bay Way in Lanoka Harbor for a suspicious person. While at the residence, 52 year-old James Cort of Olds Street in Forked River was arrested on an outstanding Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $500. In addition, 35-year-old Shawn Wrazen of Bay Way in Forked River was also arrested on an outstanding Lacey Township Warrant in the amount of $500. James Cort was later lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility; Shawn Wrazen was released ROR by the court.

  • Theft (Township Property) – On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, at 9:20 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the Lacey Township Department of Public Works recycling yard in regard to a theft. The complainant reported that at approximately 7:52 a.m. on October 22, 2014, a male subject stole a battery valued at $20. Officer Sarno conducted an investigation and identified the accused as 32-year-old Charles F. Steffins of Oregon Avenue in Waretown, NJ. Officer Sarno made contact with him and issued him a complaint summons for one count of theft.

  • Shoplifting (Formal Charge) – On Tuesday, October 21, 2014, at 11:09 a.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to the Wawa located at 800 Lacey Road in Forked River for a report of a male shoplifter who fled the store in a vehicle after taking a sandwich without paying for it. The investigation led to the identification of the accused, identified as 38-year-old Christopher D. Campbell of Russel Smith Road in Lawrenceville, NJ. Officer Gudgeon prepared and forwarded a complaint summons charging Christopher D. Campbell with one count of Shoplifting. Officer Gudgeon was unable to make contact with the accused.