Theft- On Thursday, March 5, 2020, at 8:25 p.m., Officer Dallas Gant was dispatched to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting. Loss Prevention reported that a male suspect entered the store leaving his vehicle running in the parking lot. The male was seen running from the store with merchandise and exiting the lot. The surveillance video is being used to identify the actor.
Burglary- On Friday, March 6, 2020, at 12:45 p.m., Officers John Simonson, Michael Verwey, and Matthew D’Antonio responded a Dover Road home in reference to a burglary. The homeowner reported that unknown suspect(s) entered the residence after forcing entry. Although nothing appeared missing, the damage to the front door is valued at $500. Detective Adam Ewart also responded.
Burglary- On Friday, March 6, 2020, at 3:34 p.m., Officers John Simonson, Michael Verwey, and Matthew D’Antonio were dispatched to a Smith Road residence after a neighbor located damage to the home. It appeared that an actor(s) used a large rock to break a sliding glass door allowing access to the home. Members of the Detective Bureau and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Crime Scene Unit processed the scene.
DWI- On Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 4:17 a.m., Officer Scott Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Kearny Avenue and Lakeside Drive. The stop was conducted after a computer inquiry revealed an expired registration. During the stop, it was deemed that the driver, Lawrence Harmon, 22, was under the influence. Harmon was arrested and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Unregistered Vehicle, and Failure to Exhibit Insurance.
Fraud- On Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 11:14 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht met with a Forked River resident reporting fraudulent activity. The victim stated that the while attempting to make a purchase with her debit card she was denied the transaction. The victim discovered that her account had been fraudulently used recently in several other locations including Edison, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota.
Fraud- On Sunday, March 8, 2020, at 12:02 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht met with a Lacey resident in reference to identity theft. The caller stated that while performing a credit check, he discovered that an unknown person in Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, had used his personal information to purchase a phone and open a Verizon Wireless account that was now in collection for non-payment. The fraudulent charges are valued at $1,164.
Arrest- On Monday, March 9, 2020, at 5:16 p.m., Officer Elton Copes was dispatched to the Lacey Mall in reference to a suspicious person. Upon arrival, Officer Copes identified the person as Rafael Pomponio. Pomponio was arrested after an outstanding warrant was discovered. He was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of $550 bail issued by the Toms River Municipal Court.
Fire- On Monday, March 9, 2020, at 6:18 p.m., Officer Sarno responded to a Jones Road home after receiving a call for an oven fire. The Forked River Fire Department responded extinguishing the fire and ventilating smoke from the home.
Arrest- On Monday, March 9, 2020, at 8:08 p.m., Lacey Police received a call for a well-being check of an adult male who was reportedly using heroin. Lacey officers, with the assistance of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, searched a wooded area off Route 9 near the power plant. Several hours later, Officer Anthony Sarno observed the subject, Corey Heulitt, in a Route 9 parking lot. Heulitt, who had an outstanding warrant, attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended after a short chase. When arrested, Heulitt was found in possession of nearly 100 bags of heroin and hypodermic syringes. Heulitt was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, and Resisting Arrest prior to being transferred to the Ocean County Correctional Facility.
MV Accident- On Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at 6:20 p.m., Officer Michael Hein was dispatched to a one-car motor vehicle accident on Lacey Road in Bamber. While traveling east, the vehicle left the roadway striking a utility pole. The utility pole split causing wires to come in contact with the ground starting a brush fire. Bamber Fire Department and the NJ State Forest Fire Service extinguished the fire. The driver, a 43 year-old Bayville woman, was not injured.