• Fire with Injuries – On Thursday, August 10, 2017, at 11:12 p.m., Officers Michael Baldasari, Christopher Meyler and Scott Keefe responded to a residence located on the 700 block of Joseph Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for three adult males suffering from extensive burns. Investigation at the scene revealed that the adult males attempted to ignite a back yard fire pit using gasoline. Flames flashed back to the gas can causing an out of control flash fire. The three men suffered from burns, resulting in two of them, a 33-year-old male from Lanoka Harbor, and a 30-year-old male from Lanoka Harbor, being flown to Temple University Hospital (Burn Center) in Philadelphia, PA. Their condition was listed as stable. The third victim, a 36-year-old male from Lanoka Harbor, was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River by ambulance. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, Ocean County Fire Marshal and Lacey Township Police Detective Adam Ewart are investigating the incident.
  • DUI with Motor Vehicle Crash (Arrest) – On Thursday, August 10, 2017, at 9:25 p.m., Officer Julie Barcalow responded to the area of Sylvania Place and Cypress Street in Forked River, for a motor vehicle crash. The caller reported that the suspect vehicle struck a pole and fled the scene. The vehicle was located on the 1200 block of Cypress Street in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 50-year-old Anthony W. Repstien of Cypress Street in Forked River for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Anthony W. Repstien was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the scene of a Motor Vehicle Crash, Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Crash, Consuming Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Exhibit Registration, Failure to Exhibit Insurance Card, Failure to Change Address and Using a Cell phone while Driving. The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Shoplifting– On Thursday, August 10, 2017, at 1:55 p.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella responded to Kohl’s, located at 304 Route 9 North in Forked River, for a shoplifter. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 18-year-old Anya G. Schuster of Station Road in Bayville, NJ, for shoplifting merchandise valued at $329. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Anya G. Schuster was released after receiving a criminal summons for shoplifting.
  • Drug Arrest – On Thursday, August 10, 2017, at 12:38 a.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Deerhead Lake Drive and Sweetwood Drive in Forked River. Officer Andrew Slota arrived to assist. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 19-year-old Biago D. Schiano, of Oak Lane in Manahawkin, NJ, for Possession of CDS. In addition, the passenger, identified as 20-year-old Austin A. Friedman of Sweetwood Drive in Forked River, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia. They were both transported to police headquarters and processed.   Austin A. Friedman was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.   Biago D. Schiano was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana 50 Grams or Less and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In addition, Biago D. Schiano received traffic summonses for Failure to Signal and Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle.
  • Burglary and Theft (Auto) – On Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 3:04 p.m., Officer John Cernek responded to police headquarters for a theft report. The victim reported that between 10:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7, 2017 and 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, an unknown person or persons entered her vehicle that was parked on the 1400 block of Foch Avenue in Forked River, and stole property within. The stolen property included $33 in currency, documents, sunglasses, prescriptions, a leather clutch bag, and an unknown quantity of sharps used for blood withdrawal. The total theft is estimated at $333. There was no sign of forced entry.
  • Drug and Warrant Arrest (Multiple) – On Wednesday, August 9, 2017, at 12:56 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari observed two subjects in the parking lot of Applebee’s Restaurant, located at 404 Route 9 South in Forked River. Officer Baldasari was aware of outstanding warrants for their arrests. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 24-year-old Jacob N. Barney, of Lake Avenue in Island Heights, NJ, on two (2) outstanding warrants. Warrant number (1) was issued by the Lacey Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $500 and warrant number (2) was issued by the South Toms River Municipal Court in the bail amount of $500. In addition Jacob N. Barney was in Possession of CDS (Heroin), Drug Paraphernalia, and a Hypodermic Syringe. The second subject, identified as 24-year-old Krysta D. Badgett of Lake Avenue in Island Heights, NJ, was arrested on an outstanding Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant in the bail amount of $500. They were both transported to police headquarters and processed. Jacob Barney was charged with the above drug offenses and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility. Krysta D. Badgett was also lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail
  • DUI Arrest – On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at 9:05 p.m., Officer Elton Copes conducted a traffic stop on Bay Way and Maple Road in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 34-year-old Kenneth J. Steiner, Jr., of Oxgoose Drive in Lanoka Harbor, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed.   Kenneth J. Steiner was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving and Speeding. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at 7:12 p.m. Officers Michael Baldasari and Jason Lee responded to the 1900 block of Pineview Road in Forked River, to serve two (2) outstanding warrants. Upon arrival, they met with of 20-year-old Robert R. Chechel of Pineview Road and placed him under arrest on the warrants. Warrant number (1) was issued by the Lacey Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $1,000 and warrant number (2) was also issued by the Lacey Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $500. Robert Chechel was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
  • Motor Vehicle Crash (ATV) – On Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 4:13 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to Jones Road (a dirt road located in the Bamber Lake section of Lacey Township) for a report of an accident involving an ATV and a UTV (side-by-side). The driver and passenger of ATV#1 were ejected. The driver of ATV #1, identified as a 20-year-old male from Whiting, NJ, sustained a head injury, and the passenger of ATV #1, identified as a 19-year-old female from Toms River, NJ, sustained an arm injury. They were both flown to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ. The driver of the UTV was not injured. Both drivers received traffic summonses for Operating Unregistered and Uninsured Vehicles. The ATV and UTV were impounded and the accident remains under investigation.
  • Structure Fire – On Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 3:13 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to the 700 block of Tappan Street in Forked River, for a report of a shed on fire, fully engulfed in flames. Upon arrival, the neighbors were extinguishing the fire with garden hoses. The Forked River Fire Department arrived on scene and ensured the fire was completely extinguished. The Ocean County Fire Marshal also responded.
  • Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 8:17 a.m., Officer Frederick Anderson responded to the 100 block of Clairmore Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, for a theft report. The homeowner reported that between 8:00 a.m. and 8:15 a.m. on August 6, 2017, an unknown person or persons entered his unlocked detached garage and stole a 9mm handgun he was preparing to clean. The weapon was left unattended for that time frame in the unsecured garage. The weapon is valued at $300. Lacey Police Detective Alan Abrecht and an Ocean County Sheriff’s K-9 Officer responded to the scene to investigate. The incident remains under investigation.
  • Criminal Trespass – On Sunday, August 6, 2017, at 12:11 a.m., Officers Michael Baldasari and Anthony Sarno responded the 1100 block of Laurel Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for Criminal Trespass being issued to 24-year-old Danielle M. Laniewski, of Lake Barnegat Drive North in Lanoka Harbor, for trespassing on private property (two homes recently demolished). She was released at the scene pending a court appearance.
  • Loud Music Complaint – On Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 11:05 p.m., Sergeant Robert Surtees, along with Officers Christopher Meyler and Scott Keefe, responded to the 200 block of Randolph Place in Forked River, for a report of loud music. The music was coming from a parked vehicle near the residence. The owner of the vehicle, 28-year-old Kenneth R. Richmond, of Station Drive in Forked River, was issued a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for violating the Municipal Noise ordinance. He was released at the scene.
  • Underage Consumption of Alcohol – On Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 4:04 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno made contact with a 17-year old male from Forked River at the 7-11 store, located on Route 9 North and First Street in Lanoka Harbor. The juvenile was under the influence of alcohol. The juvenile was transported back to his residence and released to the custody of his mother. A juvenile complaint was issued for Underage Consumption of Alcohol on Private Property.
  • DUI Arrest – On Saturday, August 5, 2017, at 3:14 a.m., Officers Scott Keefe and Anthony Sarno responded to the 7-11 store, located on Route 9 North and First Street in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of an intoxicated driver. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 19-year-old Nicholas B. Maggio, of Nautilus Boulevard in Forked River, for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Nicholas B. Maggio was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI and Reckless Driving. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Drug Arrest – On Friday, August 4, 2017, at 11:43 p.m., Sergeant Robert Surtees, along with Officers Christopher Meyler and Anthony Sarno, responded to the Wawa, located at 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of an intoxicated driver. The vehicle left the Wawa parking lot and was stopped by Sergeant Surtees in the area of Laurel Boulevard and Route 9 North in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 42-year-old John Digiovanni, 3rd, of Bridle Path in Bayville, NJ, for Possession of CDS. The passenger in the vehicle, identified as 26-year-old Chelsie A. Mulvihill of Maple Street in Lakehurst, NJ, was arrested on two (2) outstanding warrants. Warrant number (1) was issued by Toms River Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $350.00, and Warrant number (2) was issued by Stafford Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $211.50. They were both transported to police headquarters and processed. John Digiovanni, 3rd, was charged on a criminal warrant with Possession of CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe. In addition, he received traffic summonses for Driving with a Suspended License, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, Delaying Traffic, Failure to Use Turn Signal, and Improper Turn. John Digiovanni, 3rd, was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing. Chelsie A. Mulvihill was released on her own recognizance.