Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release
August 20th thru August 26th, 2013
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- DUI (Arrest) – On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, near 6:40 p.m., Officer Charles May was directing traffic at First Street in Forked River when the driver of a blue Jeep Wrangler failed to obey Officer May’s hand signals and verbal commands then continued driving east on First Street. A short while later, the vehicle and driver, 43-year-old George D. Hicks III of Annapolis Lane in Forked River drove back to the scene and demanded the name and badge number of Officer May. Upon speaking with George Hicks III, Officer May observed that his eyes were bloodshot and watery and smelled the odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of George D. Hicks III for DUI. He was issued summonses for DUI, reckless driving, and failure to obey officer’s commands. The vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Underage Possession of Alcohol (Formal Charge) – On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to St. Pius Church for a report of a suspicious vehicle in the back of the church that may be involved in drug activity. Upon arrival, four subjects were observed standing outside the vehicle, described as a beige Pontiac. Officer Gudgeon observed 20-year-old Joseph Ferenc of Capstan Drive in Forked River in possession of a 750mL bottle of Ciroc Vodka. Joseph Ferenc was issued a Complaint-Summons for Underage Possession of Alcohol and is awaiting a court date.
- Theft – On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, at approximately 8:41 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to the Lacey Inn on Route 9 in Forked River for a theft report. The victim reported that sometime during the early morning hours of August 11, 2013, her iPhone valued at $730 was stolen from the room she was renting.
- Theft (Residence) – On Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at approximately 9:26 a.m., Officer John Cernek responded to a Tampa Road residence in Forked River for a theft report. The victim reported that sometime during the overnight hours, an unknown person stole three bicycles from the front yard of the residence. Total theft is valued at $150.
- Shoplifting & Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at approximately 7:44 p.m., Officers Kymberly Gudgeon and Michael Eden responded to the Walmart store for a shoplifting incident. Upon further investigation, 34-year-old Christopher Haines of Seabright Road in Forked River was arrested for shoplifting merchandise valued at $45.93. C. Haines was also found to be in possession of CDS (Oxycodone and Aplrazolam). C. Haines was processed and later released after being charged with Shoplifting and for Possession of CDS.
- Criminal Mischief (Residence) – On Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at 7:45 a.m., Officer John Cernek responded to an Elwood Street residence in Forked River for a report of criminal mischief. The homeowner reported that some time during the overnight hours unknown person(s) threw a substance on her vehicle which was parked in the driveway of the residence. The victim reported that someone also lit a bag on fire which destroyed her front doormat. The doormat was valued at $20.
- Drug Distribution & Possession (Arrests) – On the evening of Thursday, August 22, 2013, Lacey Detectives arrested three individuals involved in a drug transaction. The arrests were initiated after detectives witnessed a suspicious transaction on Clubhouse Drive in Forked River between a pedestrian and a vehicle. After the exchange, detectives approached the pedestrian, 18-year-old Casey Sinopoli of Lanoka Harbor, determining that he was in possession of heroin and Oxycodone. A traffic stop was conducted of the suspect vehicle occupied by the owner, 31-year-old Gregory Nelson and 26-year-old Nichole Post of 713 Buena Vista Road in Forked River. Both occupants were arrested and a search of the vehicle revealed heroin and a gravity knife. An additional search of Nelson’s home yielded other narcotics including heroin, marijuana, and MDMA. MDMA is a schedule I drug often referred to as Molly or Ecstasy. Casey Sinopoli was charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and lodged in the Ocean County Jail in default of $5,000 bail. Nelson and Post were also lodged in the Ocean County Jail after being charged with Distribution of a CDS and Possession of CDS. Gregory Nelson was also charged with Possession of a Prohibited Weapon. Gregory Nelson’s bail was set at $30,000 while Nichole Post’s bail was set at $15,000.
- Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, August 22, 2013, at approximately 11:19 p.m., Officer Robert Flynn observed a suspicious male subject walking around the Bank of America on Lacey Road. After further investigation, the male subject, 38-year-old Christopher Williams of Mizzen Avenue in Manahawkin was arrested on two (2) outstanding warrants — one from Pine Beach for $500 and one from Newark for $500. C. Williams was unable to post and was turned over to the Pine Beach Police Department for transport to Ocean County Jail in lieu of his bail.
- Warrant Arrest – On Friday, August 23, 2013, at 8:55 p.m., Special Officer Travis Horton conducted a traffic stop of 45-year-old Dawn M. Jabush of Central Avenue in Mountainside, New Jersey after a computer inquiry indicated that she had an active Linden City warrant for $115. Dawn Jabush was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she was able to post bail.
- Theft – On Friday, August 23, 2013, at approximately 11:43 p.m., Special Officer Travis Horton responded to a Fanwood Drive residence in Forked River for a report of theft. The victim reported that sometime during the day, between 4:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., an unknown person stole a package containing two (2) black Limited Edition Accurate Fishing Reels from the front porch of the residence. The total theft is valued at $2,000.
- CDS (Arrest) – On Saturday, August 24, 2013, at approximately 4:30 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota and Officer Dimitri Tsarnas responded to the WAWA , 444 Route 9 South, in Forked River regarding a male subject sleeping in his truck in front of the store. Upon further investigation, 21-year-old Thomas R. Luce of John Street in Forked River was arrested for Possession of Marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Thomas R. Luce was processed and later released after receiving a criminal summons. T. Luce was also issued a traffic summons for having CDS in a motor vehicle.
- DUI (Arrest) – On Saturday, August 24, 2013, at approximately 10:11 p.m., Officers George Resetar and Alan Abrecht responded to the area of Manchester Avenue and Hill Street in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a fight in a vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 31-year-old Ryan Jenkins of Camden Avenue in Whiting, New Jersey for DUI. Ryan Jenkins was later released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Breath Test Refusal, and Reckless Driving. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Noise Complaint (Formal Charge) – On Sunday, August 25, 2013, at approximately 3:21 a.m., Officers George Resetar and Dimitri Tsarnas responded to the residence next to Lanoka Farms in Lanoka Harbor for a loud party. Upon arrival, officers observed numerous people running from the area in an attempt to avoid the police. Officer Tsarnas issued 27-year-old Phillip Porcellini of Heatherington Court in Lanoka Harbor a complaint-summons for the disturbance.
- DUI (Arrest) – On Sunday, August 25, 2013, at approximately 3:56 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota conducted a traffic stop in a parking lot off of Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 27-year-old Kevin Madden of Sloop Creek Road in Bayville for DUI. He was processed and later released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Speeding. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Burglary & Theft (Residence) – On Sunday, August 25, 2013 at 5:37 p.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to a Clairmore Avenue residence in Lanoka Harbor in reference to a burglary and theft. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime between August 11, 2013 and August 25, 2013. The complainant reported that multiple power tools, nail guns, a chop saw, an air compressor, and two electric heaters were stolen. The residence is vacant and under construction. The suspects entered the residence by breaking through a wall inside a shed which is attached to the house. The estimated value of the stolen property is $600.
- DUI (Arrest) – On Sunday, August 25, 2013, at 5:53 p.m., officers responded to the area of Western Boulevard in reference to a 2001 Dodge Intrepid that was unable to maintain its lane of travel and nearly had a head on collision. Officer Dimitri Tsarnas was investigating a hit and run motor vehicle accident in the parking lot of Fast Cash on Route 9 in Forked River. The vehicle involved in the hit and run was the same vehicle reported in the aggressive driving complaint. Lt. Michael DiBella located the vehicle and stopped the vehicle on Constitution Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 27-year-old Viviana M. Hildum of Forepeak Drive in Forked River for DUI. She was issued summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane.
- Criminal Mischief (Business) – On Monday, August 26, 2013, at 9:15 a.m. Officer Noah Schaffer responded to 623 Lacey Road for a report of criminal mischief. The complainant reported that sometime between 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 23, 2013 and 9:00 a.m. on August 26, 2013, unknown person(s) damaged the interior of both air conditioning condensing units located at the rear of his building. It was apparent that suspect(s) tried to cut out the copper coils from the units. Although the units were destroyed, the actor(s) failed to remove the copper coils. Estimated repair/damage is valued at $4,000.
- Theft – On Monday, August 26, 2013, at 6:46 p.m., a victim reported that on Thursday, August 22, 2013, she was at the Lacey Township Municipal Court located at 818 Lacey Road in Forked River conducting business as an attorney. She stated that sometime during the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., some person(s) stole her purse from within the court room. The total value of stolen property is $1,690.