Police Blotter ImageWeekly Police Blotter – Press Release

April 21st, 2014 thru April 28th, 2014

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  • Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Tuesday April 22, 2014, at 6:45 p.m., Officer Ewart responded to Walmart in reference to shoplifting. A loss prevention employee reported observing a female shopper place a sheet set and a large comforter set into her cart and then return them at the customer service desk where she received a monetary benefit for the returned items. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 45-year-old Dawn Lagnese of 25 Staysail Court in Bayville. Dawn Lagnese was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed, charged with shoplifting, and released on a criminal summons.

  • Life-Saving Use of Naloxone – At approximately 10:54 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, Lacey Township Police Sergeant Paul J. Sullivan responded to a Heroin overdose incident at a Forked River residence. Upon his arrival, he found a 30-year-old female unresponsive with very shallow breathing and a faint pulse. Sgt. Sullivan administered the Naloxone spray. The victim subsequently became responsive and alert within a minute of being administered the medication. The Lacey Township First Aid Squad transported the patient to the Southern Ocean County Hospital for further treatment. The Overdose Prevention Act of 2013 (NJSA 24:6J-1 et seq.) prohibits an arrest, charge, prosecution, or conviction under these circumstances.

    The Naloxone program was implemented within the Lacey Township Police Department just two weeks prior to this incident. Currently, the officers on patrol are equipped with Naloxone nasal spray kits in the event of a Heroin or opioid pill overdose. As in this incident, the administration of the medication in a timely manner can quickly reverse the deadly effects of an overdose.

  • Burglary of Residence – On Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at 3:52 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe and Sergeant Paul Sullivan responded to 702 Oxford Road in Lanoka Harbor in reference to a residential burglary. The homeowner reported that upon arriving home she discovered that her home had been forcibly entered through a window. The homeowner reported that jewelry and two laptops had been stolen. The homeowner believes that other items were stolen were stolen as well. The detective bureau responded to the scene and is investigating.

  • Theft – On Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 11:27 a.m., a boat owner reported that between September 15, 2014 and April 24, 2014, an unknown person or persons stole his dock box from the Lacey Township South Docks located at the end of East Lakeside Drive in Forked River. The dock box is described as a white, fiberglass, 52 inch long by 24 inch wide by 30 inch deep box valued at $750. The dock box was bolted down in front of slip #58. The victim also reported that a Danforth anchor valued at $90, assorted chemicals valued at $50, and assorted brushes valued at $100 were stored in the dock box and were stolen as well.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, April 24, 2014, at 6:51 a.m., Officer John McKee stopped a motor vehicle on Lake Barnegat Drive North and Cranberry Court for speeding. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 30-year-old Alfred Riccuiti 3rd of 153 Brennan Concourse in Bayville on an outstanding $150 Berkeley Township Municipal Court traffic warrant. He was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released after posting bail.

  • Cruelty to an Animal – On Friday, April 25, 2014, at 3:47 p.m., Officer John Simonson responded to Gille Park in Forked River in reference to a male juvenile being chased by a group of juveniles. Investigation by Officer Simonson indicated that the male being chased had just purposely killed a gray squirrel with a skateboard. The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and charges have been forwarded to the juvenile court for the cruelty.

  • DUI and Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 1:11 a.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to 504 Cedarwood Drive in Lanoka Harbor in reference to a vehicle that struck a tree in the front yard of that residence. Upon arrival, Officer Schaffer observed a Ford F-150 pickup in the front yard of the residence. Investigation at the scene indicated that the vehicle was traveling north on Cedarwood Drive when it jumped the curb. The vehicle traveled approximately twenty feet onto the property before striking a tree where it came to rest. Further investigation led to the arrest of the driver, 21-year-old Armando J. Chavez-Lua of Bayberry Drive in Lanoka Harbor for DUI. During the investigation, Marijuana and drug paraphernalia were also located. The vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law. Armando J. Chavez-Lua was transported to police headquarters. Where he was processed, issued motor vehicle summonses for DUI, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and failure to exhibit a valid registration card. Armando J. Chavez-Lua was also issued a criminal summons for possession of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

  • Hindering Apprehension and Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 5:52 p.m., officers responded to Predmore Avenue residence in reference to a dispute. Officer Evan Androcy stopped a male and female walking away from the residence. The male initially provided a false name, and was later identified as 39-year-old Vincent P. Lefurge of Winding River Way in Land O Lakes, Florida. Investigation at the scene led to the discovery of an active $500 warrant out of Toms River. Vincent P. Lefurge was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released after posting bail on the Toms River warrant. Vincent Lefurge was also served with a warrant for hindering his own apprehension and was released on his own recognizance as per the judge.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, April 26, 2014, at 8:31 p.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas responded to the area of Laurel Boulevard and Briar Road in Lanoka Harbor for a report of two females possibly involved in drug activity. Upon arrival, Officer Tsarnas observed two females in the area. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 26-year-old Amanda Walters of 26 Laurel Boulevard on a $1,000 Ocean County Sheriff’s Department warrant. Amanda Walters was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

  • Hit & Run Motor Vehicle Accident – On Sunday, April 27, 2014, at 10:45 p.m., Officers responded to the parking lot of Caffrey’s for a hit and run motor vehicle accident. The caller took a picture of the license plate of the vehicle that struck her vehicle and provided it to officers. The officers were able to locate the vehicle a short while later at the residence of the registered owner on Beach Boulevard in Forked River. The registered owner, 27-year-old Devin Piekkola was issued motor vehicle summonses for leaving the scene of an accident and failure to report an accident.

  • Theft – On Sunday, April 27, 2014, at 12:50 p.m., Laura Anne Cavanaugh responded to police headquarters to report a theft. Laura Anne Cavanaugh reported that an unknown person or persons stole sixty (60) feet of metal chain with six (6) “No Trespassing” signs that they put up around the vacant land next to their property on Binnacle Road in Forked River. The theft occurred between April 25, 2014 and April 27, 2014. The value of the stolen property is estimated at $72.

  • Theft – On Sunday, April 27, 2014, at 1:29 p.m., Officer Michael Eden responded to Arient Road in Forked River for a theft report. Mark Olivieri reported that an unknown person or persons stole two kayaks from his front yard between Friday, April 25, 2014 and Sunday, April 27, 2014. One kayak was described as a yellow “Pelican” brand with green paint flecks valued at approximately $250. The other kayak was described as being a yellow “Ozark” brand kayak and is valued at approximately $200.

  • Debit Card Fraud Alert -In addition to the 6 ATM bank card frauds reported early Monday, April 28, 2014, the Lacey Township Police Department received more than 20 additional reports (as of 12:00 Noon) Tuesday, April 29, 2014, from Lacey Township residents regarding fraudulent activity on their debit card accounts. Residents have reported that their Bank of America ATM cards have been fraudulently used at locations in North New Jersey within the past several days. The victims in each reported incident currently have physical possession of their debit cards, yet funds are being withdrawn from their bank accounts at ATM locations in North Jersey. PIN numbers are apparently being used to access the money through ATMs. Each incident is currently under investigation by the Lacey Township Police Department. It is strongly suggested that residents change their PIN numbers on their debit card accounts regardless of which local bank they utilize. Early indications are that unknown subjects may have set up a system over the prior weeks to capture debit card information and PIN numbers at one or more ATM locations in town. Residents are asked to check their bank accounts to ensure there has been no fraudulent activity. If any fraudulent activity is discovered, residents are asked to immediately report the fraud to their respective banks, then report the matter to the Lacey Township Police Department. The Lacey Township Police Department will be working with bank personnel to determine the method utilized to obtain the debit card information.

  • Disorderly Conduct – On Monday, April 28, 2014 at 10:32 a.m., Officer Jeffrey Slota conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road near the intersection of Briggs Avenue for a suspended registration. During the course of the motor vehicle stop, the driver of the vehicle, Robert Carmosino, exited his vehicle and confronted Officer Slota regarding the status of his registration. Robert Carmosino disregarded Officer Slota’s direction to return to his vehicle, at which point Robert Carmosino became irate and aggressive, ultimately challenging officer’s on scene to a fight. Robert Carmosino’s actions became alarming to a witness in the area. Officer Slota issued a special form of complaint summons to Robert Carmosino, charging him with disorderly conduct. Additionally, Robert Carmosino was issued several motor vehicle summonses. His vehicle was impounded for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended registration. He was provided a courtesy transport to his residence following the incident.

  • Shoplifting and Drug Possession (Arrests) – On Monday, April 28, 2014, at 10:52 p.m., Officer Peter Donahue arrested two female shoplifters from Walmart. Melanie Stocko, 19, of Haines Street in Lanoka Harbor and Vada Opalenik, 19, of Devon Street in Forked River were both arrested for concealing merchandise in their purses.  Both subjects were charged with shoplifting. Vada Opalenik was also found in possession of drug paraphernalia containing Marijuana. Vada Opelenik was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of Marijuana. Both subjects were released on criminal summonses.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, April 29, 2014, at 12:34 a.m., Officer Darryl Nick conducted a motor vehicle stop for a suspended driver’s license. The driver, Timothy Jordan, 33, of Skiff Way in Forked River was subsequently arrested for an outstanding warrant issued by the Ocean County Sherriff’s Department in the amount of $1,029. Timothy Jordan could not post bail and was transported to Ocean County Correctional Facility. Timothy Jordan was also issued a summons for operating a motor vehicle during a period of license suspension.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Monday, April 28, 2014, at 7:34 p.m., Officer Peter Donahue conducted a motor vehicle stop for a suspended driver’s license. The driver, Andrew Pelyak, 50, of Parker Street in Forked River was subsequently arrested for an outstanding warrant issued by the Howell Township Municipal Court in the amount of $349. A. Pelyak was able to post bail and was released from police headquarters.