• Armed Robbery (Handgun) – On Sunday, February 15, 2015, at 11:10 a.m., the Lacey Township Police Department responded to the Country Farms Store located within Eric Plaza on Lacey Road in Forked River with a report of an armed robbery. The suspect is described as a white male, medium build, possibly in his mid to late 30′s, approximately 5’11″ to 6’1″ tall, wearing a black and white checkered flannel jacket, a black hoody under the flannel, a black skull cap with a squared logo, dark pants, sneakers, and sunglasses. The hair color of the suspect is unknown and he had no facial hair at the time of the robbery. The man entered the store, brandished a black handgun, and fled the store after demanding and receiving cash from the clerk. The man was observed entering a light green, older model, 4 door sedan, unknown model (similar to a Ford Taurus). The vehicle left the area west on Adolphus Street toward Lake Barnegat Drive North in Forked River. The Lacey Township Police Department patrol division personnel conducted a search for the vehicle. A countywide alert (MOCIB) was issued at the time of the initial report. Detective Robert Surtees responded and is conducting the follow-up investigation. The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigation Unit responded to assist with the processing of the scene and the collection of images and video from the business surveillance system.

  • Structure Fire – On Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 9:14 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to 3 Hill Top Court in Lanoka Harbor for a shed fire. The Lanoka Harbor Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded to investigate. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. The shed contained, but was not limited to, a Quad, Motorcycle, and various tools. There were no reported injuries.

  • Theft (Arrests) – On Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 5:36 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins and Officer Michael Verwey met with a manager of Burger King located at 346 Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor in reference to a theft that had occurred on February 1, 2015. Investigation of the incident led to the arrest of two employees of Burger King: 23-year-old Zachary Kochel of Illinois Avenue in Waretown and 21-year-old Devianne Certisimo of Charles Avenue in Toms River. While closing the store around 1:00 a.m. on February 1, 2015, Zachary Kochel and Devianne Certisimo reportedly staged a burglary and stole $500 in cash. A short while later, they decided to return most of the money. $407 of the stolen money was returned to the store safe shortly after it had been stolen. Zachary Kochel and Devianne Certisimo were both charged with Theft of Movable Property.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Saturday, February 14, 2015, at 2:04 p.m., officers responded to the area of Route 9 North and South Street in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a possible intoxicated driver. The caller witnessed the vehicle strike a fence and bushes in front of the Wawa located at 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor and then fled North on Route 9. Officers Darrell Nick and Christopher Meyler arrived on scene and located the vehicle on Camelot Court in the Lanoka Harbor section of the township. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 46-year-old Scott J. Urbano of Chestnut Drive in Lanoka Harbor for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters, processed, and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Failure to Report an Accident. The vehicle Scott Urbano was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Criminal Mischief to a Residential Shed – On Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 4:29 p.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 1200 block of Spruce Street in Forked River for a suspicious incident. The complainant reported that between 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, and 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, 2015, an unknown person or persons attempted to gain entry to a rear shed by attempting to pry open the doors. At the time of the report, it does not appear that entry was gained and nothing appeared to be missing from within the shed. Damage is estimated at $25.

  • Shoplifting (Arrest) – On Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 2:37 p.m., Officers Jeffrey Slota and Michael Hein responded to the Walmart located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a male shoplifter in custody. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 53-year-old James Cort of Olds Street in Forked River for shoplifting. James Cort was transported to police headquarters, processed and charged with Shoplifting.

  • Drug Possession and Warrant (Arrests) – On Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 1:41 p.m., Officers Frederick Anderson and Jason Lee responded to the 600 block of Sunrise Boulevard in Forked River for a report of a dispute. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 22-year-old Danny Skinner 3rd of New Street in Toms River, NJ, on a Toms River Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $100; a Toms River Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $400; and a no-bail warrant issued by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Danny Skinner was also found to be in possession of CDS (Clonazepam and Buprenorphine Hydrochloride). A second male subject at the scene, identified as 22-year-old Martin Brown 3rd of Route 70 East in Lakehurst, NJ, was arrested on an outstanding Lakehurst Borough Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $3,238. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters and processed. Martin Brown 3rd was turned over to the custody of the Lakehurst Borough Police Department. Danny Skinner was charged with two counts of Possession of CDS, specifically Clonazepam and Buprenorphine Hydrochloride, Possession of CDS with Intent to Distribute, False Reports to Incriminate Another, Obstructing the Administration of Law, and Hindering His Own Apprehension by Providing False Information to a Law Enforcement Officer. His bail was set at $50,000. Danny Skinner 3rd was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of the bail.

  • Theft of a Motorcycle – on Thursday, February 12, 2015, at 9:55 a.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to the 400 block of Bay Way in Lanoka Harbor for a theft. The victim reported that between 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 10, 2015 and 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, an unknown person or persons stole a dirt bike from a trailer that was parked in front of the residence. The dirt bike was described as an older white, yellow, and blue Yamaha YZ80 dirt bike. The exact year of the dirt bike is unknown. The approximate valued of the dirt bike is $500.

  • Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 10:15 p.m., Officer George Resetar was patrolling Good Luck Road in the Bamber Lake section of Forked River when he observed a suspicious vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 20-year-old Samantha K. Torro of West Arverne Avenue in Ocean Gate, NJ, for Possession of Marijuana. She was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters, processed, and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

  • Theft – On Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 6:35 p.m. Officer Noah Schaffer responded to 618 Alpine Street in Forked River for the report of a theft. The victim reported that at approximately 11:50 a.m. on February 7, 2015, two Caucasian males (believed to be in their late teens or early twenties) dressed in dark clothing entered onto his property. One of the males then reportedly stole a FedEx package from his front porch. The incident was caught on his surveillance camera. The package that was stolen contained two Curt Brand, black metal Trailer Sway Hitches valued at $86.

  • Criminal Mischief (Residence) – On Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at 2:08 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota was dispatched to the 800 block of Windward Drive in Forked River for a possible brush fire in front of a residence. Upon arrival, Officer Slota determined that the smoke and fire was isolated to a mailbox. It appeared that an unknown person or persons set off fireworks inside the mailbox. The damage to the mailbox is estimated at $200.

  • Possession of Alcohol (Juvenile) – On Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 12:02 p.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to the Lacey Township High School in reference to a 16-year-old juvenile female that was in possession of alcohol on school property. The parent of the juvenile was notified. The juvenile was charged with possession of alcohol.