Police Blotter ImageWeekly Police Blotter – Press Release

December 10th thru December 16th, 2013

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  • UPDATE (Arrest): On Wednesday, November 20, 2013, the Lacey Township Police Department publically released a bank ATM surveillance image of an unidentified person who had illegally used a stolen credit card connected to a burglary of a vehicle in Lanoka Harbor. After a three week investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 31-year-old Jessica Walters of Lanoka Harbor. On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 10, 2013, Lacey Township Police Department detectives arrested 31-year-old Jessica Walters.

    Jessica Walters also had an outstanding, no-bail warrant issued out of the Ocean County Superior Court for a probation violation. A search of her clothing yielded 13 folds containing Heroin as well as a hypodermic syringe.

    Jessica Walters was identified as a suspect in several vehicle burglaries that occurred in Lacey Township during the month of October.  During the investigation, detectives obtained video surveillance from several locations in Ocean and Monmouth Counties where Jessica Walters used stolen credit cards to make cash withdrawals and purchases.

    Walters was charged with two counts of Burglary, Theft of Moveable Property, Theft of a Credit Card, Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card, as well as Possession of Heroin.  Jessica Walters was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility based on the no-bail warrant and an additional $20,000 in bail for the Lacey Township charges.

  • Possible Overdose – On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 9:11 p.m., Officer John McKee responded to a Lakeside Drive North residence in Forked River for a report of an unconscious female (possible drug overdose). Upon arrival at the residence, officers were led to a 29-year-old female from Tuckerton, NJ, who was then conscious and was reported to have consumed Roxicet (prescription pain medication) with vodka. She was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Under the new “Overdose Prevention Act,” the 29-year-old female is not subject to any further police involvement.

  • Theft – On Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at 12:32 p.m., Officer John D. Simonson took a theft report. The complainant reported that on December 10, 2013, her juvenile son rode his bicycle to the TJ Maxx at 348 Route 9 N in Lanoka Harbor and left it outside unlocked. A short time later, he returned and the bicycle was gone. The bicycle is valued at $300.

  • Shoplifter (Arrest) – On Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 5:18 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey responded to the Lacey Walmart, 580 Route 9 N, Lanoka Harbor, for a female shoplifter. Upon his arrival, 49-year-old Anita Benson of Asbury Park, NJ, was arrested for shoplifting merchandise valued at $778.41. Anita Benson was processed and charged with shoplifting. She was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu $5,000 bail.

  • Heroin Possession and Distribution (Arrests) – While on patrol on Tuesday evening, December 10, 2013, in the Pheasant Run section of Lacey Township, Officer Michael Verwey received information from a resident that possible CDS activity may be taking place at 2006 Brookdale Drive in Forked River. It was reported that a subject was seen at a side window of the residence. While responding to the residence, Officer Verwey stopped a vehicle leaving that particular home. The driver, 22-year-old Branden Barranger of Toms River, NJ, was subsequently arrested for possession of a bundle (10 wax folds) of Heroin. The investigation continued with officers responding to the residence. Investigation at 2006 Brookdale Drive led to the seizure of 129 wax folds of Heroin along with other drug paraphernalia and prescription pills. Officers and detectives arrested the following individuals from the home: 24-year-old Wessley Krempel of Beachwood, NJ, 23-year-old Michael Krempel of South Toms River, NJ, 24 –year-old Noelle Hurley of Waretown, NJ, and 18-year-old Ariela Ceko of Bayville, NJ. Ariela Ceko and Michael Krempel were charged with Possession of Heroin and released on summonses. Noelle Hurley was charged with Possession of Heroin and turned over to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department for over $70,000 in outstanding warrants. Wessley Krempel was charged with Distribution of Heroin, Possession of Heroin, Possession of Schedule III Prescription Pills, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe. Wessley Krempel was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $150,000 cash bail.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 4:19 a.m., Officer Charles May and John McKee responded to the Lacey Inn at 216 Route 9 North in Forked River for a dispute. The investigation led to the arrest of 27-year-old John M. Sabie of Lanoka Harbor, NJ, on an outstanding warrant. The warrant was issued out of Newark, NJ, in the amount of $250. John M. Sabie was transported to headquarters, processed, and later released on his own recognizance by the Newark Court.

  • Search Warrant and Theft/Heroin Possession (Arrest) – On Wednesday, December 11, 2013, Lacey Township Police Department detectives executed a search warrant at 301 Bay Way in Lanoka Harbor. The search warrant was sought and executed as part of an investigation into several residential burglaries which occurred on Clairmore Avenue, Lanoka Harbor, during the summer of 2013. During the search, detectives discovered 92 folds containing Heroin. The target of the investigations, 26-year-old Anthony Sestito, was arrested and charged with Theft of Moveable Property (Jewelry) and Possession of Heroin. The stolen property, mainly consisting of jewelry, was estimated at $27,000. The stolen jewelry was not recovered as the investigation revealed the stolen items had been sold/pawned. Anthony Sestito was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $50,000 cash bail.

  • K-9 Search – At 8:10 a.m., on Wednesday, December 11, 2013, six members of the Lacey Township Police Department participated in a preplanned and coordinated K-9 sweep of the Lacey Township High School in conjunction with seven other law enforcement agencies. The arrangement for the K-9 teams and the corresponding media coverage was handled by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office. The search was conducted at the joint request of the Lacey Township Police Department and the Lacey Township School Administration. All media releases related to the search and the outcome of the search are being handled exclusively by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office as the operation was officially under their direction and control.

  • Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Wednesday, December 11, 2013, at 6:34 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the Walmart store located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor in reference to a shoplifter that had fled the scene. A store loss prevention employee reported that a male subject, later identified as Kevin Emery of 7 Oak Leaf Court in Waretown, left the store with a shopping cart containing items that were had not been purchased. The store employee reported that Kevin Emery fled in a vehicle after he was confronted in the parking lot. The items that the suspect attempted to shoplift were three “Vizio” sound bars valued at $294. The suspect is also suspected in a previous shoplifting of one “Vizio” sound bar that occurred on December 4, 2013 at the same store. Kevin Emery was contacted and subsequently turned himself in at Lacey Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with shoplifting. He was released pending a court date.

  • Theft – On Friday, December 13, 2013, at 7:41 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 1600 block of Pershing Avenue, Forked River, for a theft report. The complainant reported that between Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 10:00 p.m. and Friday, December 13, 2013, at 7:00 a.m., an unknown person or persons stole two light-up penguin mannequins valued at $70 from the front porch.

  • Drug Possession and Warrant (Arrest) – On Friday, December 13, 2013, at 6:56 p.m., Officer Robert Flynn conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 32-year-old Michael Lange, for Possession of Marijuana. A Wall Township warrant in the amount of $358.00 was also located for Michael Lange’s arrest. Michael Lange was transported to headquarters, processed, and released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. In addition, Michael Lange received traffic summonses for Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Speeding. Michael Lange posted bail on the warrant and was released.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Wednesday, December 13, 2013, at 2:02 a.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Elwood Street and Holmes Avenue. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 23-year-old Michael Gardner of 422 Brandywine Avenue in Forked River for DUI. He was arrested and transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he refused to provide breath samples. Michael Gardner was issued summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal to Provide Breath Samples, Reckless Driving, and Maintenance of Lamps. The registered owner of the vehicle, 21-year-old Kaitlyn Mckeon of 1430 Kenney Street in Forked River, was a passenger in the vehicle and was charged with allowing an intoxicated driver to operate her motor vehicle.

  • Criminal Mischief to Auto – On Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 4:52 p.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 700 block of Weehawkin Avenue in Forked River for a report of criminal mischief. The complainant reported that between the late evening of Friday, December 13, 2013, and early morning hours of Saturday, December 14, 2013, an unknown person or persons broke the windshield wiper off of his vehicle at this location. The damage is estimated at $50.

  • Aggravated Assault and DUI (Arrest) – On Sunday, December 15, 2013, at 2:42 a.m., officers responded to the 200 block of Nantucket Road in Forked River for an assault-in-progress involving a knife. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 30-year-old Natalie J. Aguirre of Tuckerton, NJ, for several offenses including Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and DUI. Natalie Aguirre was charged with DUI for allegedly driving her vehicle to the Nantucket Road address where she is believed to have committed the assault with a knife. She was transported to police headquarters. She was then lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of $25,000 bail. In addition, Natalie Aguirre received traffic summonses for DUI and Refusal to Submit Breath Samples. The vehicle she was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Burglary and Theft from an Auto – On Sunday, December 15, 2013, at 11:23 p.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to the 800 block of Rogers Street in Lanoka Harbor for a theft report. The complainant reported that between 4:00 p.m. on December 14, 2013 and 11:00 a.m. on December 15, 2013, an unknown person or persons entered his unlocked vehicle that was parked in the driveway and stole loose change and a pack of cigarettes.

  • OTC Cough Medicine Abuse (Juvenile) – On Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 9:16 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to a Forked River residence in reference to a juvenile under the influence of an excessive amount of OTC cough medicine. A 15-year-old female was found in her residence by her parents under the influence of an excessive amount (more than 20 gel-caps) of over-the-counter cough medicine believed to be Coricidin Liquid Gel-Caps known to juveniles as Triple C’s. The juvenile, who was disoriented and appeared to be under the influence of drugs, was treated by the Lacey Township First Aid Squad and paramedics at the scene. She was then transported to Southern Ocean County Medical Center.

  • Theft – On Saturday, December 14, 2013, Officer Anthony Sarno responded to a Penn Avenue North residence for two separate theft reports. The homeowner initially reported that someone stole two Christmas decorations from his front lawn between 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2013. The decorations were described as a light-up pink Christmas Pig and a red and green “Merry Christmas” sign. The total value of the stolen property is $40. The homeowner later called back and reported that someone stole dark grey landscaping stones that were stacked on palettes next to his garage between the 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, 2103 and the morning hours of Saturday, December 14, 2013. The value of the stones is estimated at $500.

  • Burglary and Theft (Auto) – On Monday, December 16, 2013, at 7:49 a.m., Officer Joseph Soto responded to the 400 block of Sinclair Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for a theft. The victim reported that between 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, 2013, and 7:30 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2013, an unknown person or persons entered his unlocked vehicle parked in the driveway and stole $30 in cash and change.

  • Theft – On Monday, December 16, 2013, at 9:41 a.m., a resident of Buttonwood Drive in Lanoka Harbor reported that someone stole a Silver Nintendo DS “Lite” game console system, a blue Nintendo DS case, and twenty five miscellaneous Nintendo DS video games from her Buttonwood Drive residence. The thefts occurred between Monday, November 4, 2013 and Monday, December 16, 2013. The victim suspects a family member is involved in the thefts. Total value of the stolen property is estimated at $650.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Monday, December 16, 2013, at 10:13 a.m., officers responded to 1208 Pensacola Road in Forked River in reference to serving a warrant on 40-year-old Anthony Caputo. Anthony Caputo was located and arrested for the Montclair Township Municipal Court contempt warrant with no bail set. Anthony Caputo was arrested and turned over to the Montclair Township Police Department.