- Motor Vehicle Crash (Vehicle vs. Pole) – On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at 8:45 p.m., Sergeant George Resetar, along with Officers Martin Julian and Jason Lee, responded to Laurel Boulevard and Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a vehicle that struck a utility pole. The top of the utility pole was engulfed in flames, causing a power outage in the area. Upon arrival, both the driver and the passenger had exited the vehicle. The 20-year-old female passenger from Lanoka Harbor, was transported by helicopter to the Jersey Shore Medical Center for treatment. The 20 year-old driver from Tuckerton, NJ, was not injured. JCP&L was notified and power was restored after a brief period.
- Burglary and Theft (Auto) – On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at 2:58 p.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to Sheffield Drive in Forked River in reference to a motor vehicle burglary. The owner of the vehicle reported that an unknown person(s) entered her unlocked vehicle that parked in her driveway. The owner reported that an orange flashlight and keys valued at $20 were stolen.
- Burglary and Theft (Auto) – On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at 8:22 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht responded to the 1200 block of Tamarack Road in Forked River in reference to a motor vehicle burglary. The complainant stated that during the overnight hours of January 15 into January 16, 2019, an unknown person(s) entered their unlocked vehicle and removed two packages containing jewelry valued at $432. The incident remains under investigation.
- Warrant Arrest – On Monday, January 14, 2019, at 5:02 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari conducted a motor vehicle stop near Manchester Avenue and Evans Street in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 22-year-old Brandon Carte of Point Pleasant Avenue, Bayville, NJ, on an outstanding Toms River Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $1250. Brandon Carte was transported to headquarters and processed. He was released after posting bail. In addition, Brandon Carte received traffic summonses for a cell phone violation and suspended license.
- Fraud – On Monday, January 14, 2019, at 2:04 p.m., Officer John Simonson responded to Atlantic City Court in Lanoka Harbor reference a fraud report. The victim reported that she was scammed out of a large sum of money. She stated that she ordered a medical alert device from a company to use in case of an emergency. Soon after ordering the device, she was contacted by an unknown male who told her his name was John Morrison. “John Morrison” claimed that she was overcharged for the device and in order to fix the overpayment, he advised her to purchase Google Play cards. She purchased six Google Play cards totaling $3000. She provided “John Morrison” with the security codes to each Google Play card. “John Morrison” was able to cash the Google Play cards with the codes she provided him. The victim realized she had been scammed and alerted the credit bureaus of the incident and contacted this agency.
- Criminal Mischief (School Property) – On Monday, January 14, 2019, at 8:34 a.m., Officer Michael Hutman responded to the Lacey Middle School on Denton Avenue in Forked River for a report of criminal mischief. The groundskeeper stated that between the hours of 3:30 a.m. and 3:40 a.m. on January 14, 2019, an unknown person(s) recklessly operated a pickup truck on the easternmost soccer field causing extensive damage to the turf. The incident remains under investigation.
- Shoplifting and Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 8:20 p.m., Officers Anthony Sarno and Scott Keefe responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a shoplifter in custody. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 53-year-old Antonio Giudice of Deerhead Lake Drive in Forked River, for shoplifting merchandise valued at $65.37. In addition, he was found to have a warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in the amount of $11,789.86. Antonio Giudice was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was charged with shoplifting and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.
- Criminal Mischief (Auto) – On Saturday, January 12, 2019, Officer Michael Baldasari responded the 600 block of Twin River Drive in Forked River for a report of criminal mischief to a vehicle. The complainant reported a dent in the rear door and damage to the passenger side mirror of her rental vehicle. The cost to repair the vehicle is estimated at $500.