• Burglary/Theft/Impersonation-On Wednesday, December 27, 2017, Patrolman Michael Hein took an initial report for a suspicious incident. During his investigation, a Bayville resident reported that she suspected that she was the victim of fraud.  The victim reported that she answered a rental advertisement posted on Facebook and made arrangements to see the Forked River home. The victim further added that she and a representative of the property management company came to an agreement and completed a lease. The victim also gave the representative a $2,025 security deposit.  Several days afterward when the victim did not receive the keys for the home, she reported the incident to the police.  As the investigation continued, Patrolman Hein and Detective Kymberly Gudgeon were able to confirm that the advertisement was fraudulent and identified the suspect as a Little Egg Harbor resident. On Thursday, December 28, 2017, Lacey detectives arranged for the victim to meet with the suspect under the auspice that she would be supplying the first month’s rent.  The suspect, Jennifer Alvarez, 39, was arrested when she arrived to collect the money.  Alvarez was charged with burglary, theft by deception, and impersonation. She was released pending an upcoming Court appearance.
  • Shoplifting Arrest- On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 3:15 p.m., Officer George Resetar responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9, Lanoka Harbor, for a shoplifter.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 28-year old Jeni McDaniel, of Sarasota Drive, Forked River, for stealing $271.00 worth of various merchandise.  Jeni McDaniel was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released on a criminal summons with shoplifting.
  • DUI Arrest – On Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at 10:19 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Route 9 near the Lacey/Waretown Border. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 40-year-old Wendy E. Cutter of Wave Road, Manahawkin, NJ, for DUI.  Wendy Cutter was transported to police headquarters and processed. She received motor vehicle summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • DUI Arrest – On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at 11:50 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Oak Street and Route 9, Forked River, for speeding. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 28-year-old Monica Merry of Cranberry Road, Beachwood, for DUI.  She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and later released to a family member. She received motor vehicle summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Refusal to submit to breath testing, and speeding. She also received a criminal summons charging her with Resisting Arrest and Obstruction of Justice. The vehicle she was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Shoplifting Arrest/Possession of CDS – On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at 8:14 p.m., Officers Michael Verwey and Christopher Meyler responded to Kohl’s, 304 Route 9, Forked River, for a shoplifter. The suspect fled the store in a motor vehicle heading North on Route 9. Officer Anthony Sarno located and stopped the vehicle on Route 9 and Harbor Inn Road in Bayville. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest the passenger of the vehicle, 26-year-old Kaitlyn V. Ferdon of Red Bank Avenue, Ocean Gate, NJ. Proceeds of the theft, including jewelry and clothing, valued at $146.81, were located in her possession. Kaitlyn V. Ferdon was also found to be in possession of heroin and marijuana. She was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released on a criminal summons charging her with Shoplifting, Possession of CDS, Possession of Marijuana 50g or less, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
  • Shoplifting Arrest – On Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at 12:17 p.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a male shoplifter. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 52-year-old Michael J. Miceli of 3rd Street, Barnegat, NJ. Michael J. Micelli concealed $95 in merchandise and left the store without paying. Michael Miceli was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after being charged on a summons with shoplifting.
  • Theft from Residence – On Sunday, December 24, 2017, at 8:54 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to a residence on the 400 block of Barnacle Road in Forked River for a report of theft. The victims reported that between December 23, 2017, at 7:45 p.m. and December 24, 2017, at 1:00 a.m., unknown person(s) stole medications and four Lunar Wireless Blue Tooth headphones from the master bedroom of their residence. The total value of the theft is estimated at $35.00
  • Fire – On Saturday, December 23, 2017, at 2:07 p.m., Lacey Township Police Officers responded to the Island Beach Distillery on Old Shore Road in Forked River for an explosion and structural fire. Forked River and Lanoka Harbor Fire Departments arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. Lacey Township First Aid responded and treated the victim and who was transported to Livingston Burn Center for 1st degree burns from his waist to his feet. Lacey Township Detective Brian Flynn, the Ocean County Fire Marshall, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Lacey Township Building Inspector responded. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Friday, December 22, 2017, at 4:06 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to a residence on Windsor Street in Forked River for a report of two males taking items out of a dumpster. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of one of the males, 49-year old Kevin R. Tice, of Enterprise Drive in Forked River, on a warrant out of Newark Municipal Court in the amount of $100. He was arrested and transported to police headquarters. After processing, Kevin R. Tice was released on his own recognizance.
  • Shoplifting – On Friday, December 22, 2017, at 1:42 p.m., Officers Patrick Watkins and Alan Abrecht responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a female shoplifter. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 35-year-old Kristin A. Hansen of Oxford Drive, Lanoka Harbor for shoplifting. Kristen A. Hanson attempted to steal approximately $146.05 worth of merchandise, including cosmetics and holiday cars. Kristen Hansen was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after being charged on a criminal summons with shoplifting.
  • Residential Burglary- On Friday, December 22, 2017, at approximately 9:00 a.m., a resident of Roanoke Drive in Forked River, witnessed a suspected burglary to a home across the lagoon from hers. The caller witnessed a male subject break the glass of a sliding door and enter the Ranger Drive residence.  The caller also alerted her son, who was able to provide dispatch with a description of the suspect’s vehicle. Officers responded and searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect or his vehicle. The homeowner, who was not home at the time of the burglary, was able to provide a list of items stolen from her home that included a specific list of jewelry. As the investigation continued, a suspect was identified as a person Lacey Township Police Officers had dealt with earlier in the morning. At approximately 7:00 a.m., patrol officers were dispatched to Sinclair Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, for a suspicious person.  Once there, officers spoke with 30 year-old Thomas Laffey, of Oak Road in Lanoka Harbor, who was sleeping in his parked vehicle.  He was released at the scene without incident. At approximately 12:00 p.m.  Berkeley Township Police Officers located the suspect’s vehicle in the Baywick Plaza.  Lacey Police detectives responded there and met with the driver, Thomas Laffey.  He was ultimately arrested and charged with the burglary, theft, and criminal mischief after detectives discovered a piece of jewelry missing from the victim’s home.  Thomas Laffey was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing.  The investigation also led to the recovery of all the stolen jewelry.