DWI – On Thursday, July 4, 2019, at 6:00 p.m., officers responded to the Taylor Lane Wawa for a report of a possible dispute. Further investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 65-year-old Kenneth Vanness for DWI. He was transported to headquarters where he received motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Expired Registration.
DWI – On Friday, July 5, 2019, at 12:07 a.m., Officer Jesse Dalziel conducted a motor vehicle stop in a commercial parking lot on Route 9 after a concerned citizen reported a possible intoxicated driver. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 60-year-old Charles Pettinelli of Freehold. He received motor vehicle summonses for Reckless Driving and DWI.
DWI– At 1:13 a.m., Saturday, June 6, 2019, Officer Michael Baldasari conducted a traffic stop on Lacey Road near the Railroad Avenue Extension. The stop was made after a computer inquiry revealed that the vehicle’s registration was expired. Further investigation at the stop led to the arrest of the driver, Dylan Brandsema, 23, of Forked River. Brandsema was issued summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, Expired Registration, and Expired Insurance Card.
Suspicious Incident — On Sunday, July 7, 2019, at 4:31 p.m., Police Communications received a 911 call from Ocean County Sherriff’s Department. The anonymous complainant reported by text message that there was a male with a gun holding his girlfriend in the residence against her will at a Chestnut Drive, Lanoka Harbor home. Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter to contain the incident and safeguard surrounding residents. Adjacent homeowners were advised to shelter in place away from adjacent windows until contact could be made to determine the extent of the incident. Communications within the residence were attempted with negative results. As the investigation continued, information was obtained that the couple might be at a Toms River residence rather than the Lanoka Harbor home. The couple was located at a Toms River home uninjured.
Warrant Arrest- At 11:39 p.m., Monday, July 8, 2019, Officer Watkins stopped a vehicle on Lakeside Drive for speed. A computer inquiry revealed that the driver, Andrew Steitz, 20, of Forked River, had an active warrant for his arrest. The warrant was issued by Tredyffrin Township, Pennsylvania for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Andrew was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility where he is awaiting an extradition hearing.
Arrest- On the evening of Tuesday, July 9, 2019, a Deerhead Lake Drive resident reported that her vehicle, a 2015 Chevrolet Traverse, was taken by a relative without her permission on more than one occasion. Upon returning the vehicle, Edward Heaton, 22, of Forked River was charged with Taking a Means of Conveyance Without Consent. Heaton was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Trespassing- At 11:43 a.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019, Officer Michael Hein responded to a Baldwin Street, Forked River home in reference to a suspicious incident. Property owners reported that their vacant home appeared to have been entered in their absence. Once inside, it was evident that unknown persons were living in the house and left belongings behind including clothes and bedding. Neighbors reported witnessing two unknown men leaving the home prior to the officer’s arrival.
Burglary- At approximately 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019, an Elwood Street, Forked River resident reported two suspicious males in the street. Shortly afterward, the caller made a second call to police reporting that one of the males had entered the home across the street and now hears a woman screaming. Officer Michael Hutman arrived and witnessed a male suspect running from the home. Officer Hutman’s attention was given to a resident of the home who was injured by the known assailant. Dsg. Robert Surtees located the suspect, Shaddiy Whittacker, 29, walking nearby on Harrison Avenue. Whittacker was placed under arrest and charged with Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Criminal Mischief, and Resisting Arrest. Whittacker was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail.
CDS Arrest- At 3:40 p.m., Wednesday, July 10, 2019, Officer Simonson was dispatched to a Route 9 convenience store for a suspicious male inside a vehicle. Officer Simonson located the driver, Jeffrey Ackerman, 27. Further investigation revealed that Ackerman was in possession of empty wax folds and a hypodermic syringe indicative of heroin use. Ackerman was arrested and charged with Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.
CDS Arrest- On Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 10:27 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno conducted a traffic stop near the Lacey Mall. During the stop, Officer Sarno discovered that the driver, Stephen Cunningham, 30, of Staten Island, New York, had three outstanding traffic warrants issued by Perth Amboy and Woodbridge Municipal Courts. Cunningham also possessed an amount of marijuana and paraphernalia. Cunningham was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possessing a Controlled Substance in a Motor Vehicle. Stephen Cunningham was released pending a Court appearance after his warrants were satisfied.