Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release
October 2nd thru October 7th, 2013
.
- Theft – On Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at 1:52 p.m., Officer Darrell Nick and Officer Anthony Sarno responded to Shell Gasoline (922 Lacey Road) in reference to a theft report. A 20-year-old male from Center Street in Forked River reported that $1,000 was stolen from his house sometime between 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, 2013 and 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. The reporting person stated he had $1,900 cash in an envelope in a drawer in his bedroom. He stated that he had an 18-year-old friend from Tappan Street in Forked River over around 11:00 a.m. on October 2, 2013 and when she left an hour later he noticed that the money was missing. The friend was questioned by police and denied being involved in the theft.
- Criminal Mischief – On Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 7:05 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to an Elwood Street residence in Forked River for a report of criminal mischief. The resident reported that her 2002, GMC, Yukon had been “keyed” on the rear door near the license plate. The resident did not know when or where the damage occurred and did not know of any suspects who might have damaged the vehicle. The damage is estimated at $100.
- Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 11:18 p.m., Officer Alan Abrecht and Officer George Resetar responded to the area of Tappan Street and Penn Avenue for a report of a male subject partially hanging out of a vehicle. Upon arrival, the officers observed a Mazda pickup truck with two occupants identified as 21-year-old Derek Fix of Potters Drive in Bayville and 20-year-old Cody Lessing of Eastern Boulevard in Bayville. While speaking with Cody Lessing, Officer Resetar observed a plastic bag labeled “G6”, as well as a smoking pipe with burnt residue in a baseball cap on the dashboard of the vehicle. Cody Lessing was also found in possession of “Sky” Pineapple flavored vodka and rolling papers. Cody Lessing was searched, handcuffed, and transported to police headquarters for processing. Cody Lessing was charged with Possession of Synthetic Cannabinoid, Drug Paraphernalia, and Underage Possession/Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages. Cody Lessing was released on a summons pending a court date.
- Drug Overdoses – On Thursday, October 3, 2013 at 11:54 a.m., Officers responded to a Beach Boulevard residence in Forked River for a drug overdose. A syringe was located in the unconscious subject’s shoe. The subject was treated by paramedics and transported to Community Medical Center by the Lacey Township First Aid Squad. Only 40 minutes later, at 12:35 a.m., Officers responded to a Bay Way residence in Lanoka Harbor for a report of a drug overdose. The 27-year-old subject was found unconscious on the floor of the screened-in porch. Officers administered first aid until the arrival of the paramedics. A subject at the scene turned over 1 empty syringe and 3 empty wax folds. The subject was transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center by the Lacey Township First Aid Squad with paramedics.
- Warrant Arrest – On Friday, October 04, 2013 at 4:21 p.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas conducted a motor vehicle stop on Oak Street in Forked River and arrested 30-year-old Vernon Johnson, 3rd, of Pine Oak Drive in Tuckerton on an active warrant. Vernon Johnson, 3rd, transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he posted bail on the Ocean Township Warrant.
- Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Friday, October 4, 2013 at 12:19 p.m., Officer Anderson and Officer Michael Hein responded to the East end of Sinclair Avenue in reference to someone building a “fort” on wetlands. Upon arrival, the officers’ located 19-year-old Sean C. Slaff of Pine Street in Lanoka Harbor in the process of building a “tree fort.” As the officers approached him, Sean Slaff threw a black wool knit hat into the woods. As the hat hit the ground, a small bag of marijuana fell out of the hat. Upon a closer inspection of the hat, two additional bags of vegetation were found inside. Sean Slaff was arrested and a search incident to arrest uncovered another bag of marijuana, a smoking device made from a plastic soda bottle, as well as two sockets containing burnt marijuana. Sean Slaff was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released on a summons. Sean Slaff was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
- Criminal Mischief – On Saturday, October 5, 2013, at 7:26 a.m., officers received reports of multiple incidents of criminal mischief on Arborridge Drive in the Sea Breeze Development of Forked River. The incidents appear to have occurred between the hours of 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, 2013, and 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2013.
- Robbery & Aggravated Assault – On Saturday morning, October 5, 2013, at 9:55 a.m. the Lacey Township Police Department was notified by the staff at Community Medical Center (CMC) in Toms River that they were actively treating a patient with various injuries who claimed he was assaulted in Lacey Township. Officer Joseph Soto responded to the hospital to investigate. The victim, 18-year-old Andres Velasquez of Beachwood, NJ, stated that at approximately 1:00 a.m. (9 hours earlier Saturday morning), he was waiting for the New Jersey Transit bus at the bus stop located on Route 9 South near Parker’s Point Boulevard in Forked River when he was attacked. An inspection of the reported scene produced evidence supporting the victim’s claims. The victim stated that a newer gray car pulled up and parked next to the bus stop. The victim initially reported that two black males, both in their mid-to-late twenties, exited the vehicle and demanded his wallet. The victim’s initial description of the assailants was inaccurate, as the suspects are believed to be Hispanic males. The victim received multiple injuries, including lacerations sustained from a knife. The matter is currently under investigation.
- Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 12:55 a.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas was patrolling the parking lot of the Wawa, 444 Route 9, Forked River, when he observed a male sleeping near the garbage bin in front of the establishment. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 34-year-old Thomas J. Bayard of Staysail Court in Bayville on an outstanding $500 Berkeley Township Court warrant. Thomas J. Bayard was transported to police headquarters for processing and was able to post bail.
- Dispute – On Sunday, October 06, 2013 at 1:58 a.m., Officers responded to the Forked River House, 121 Route 9 South in Forked River, NJ, for a report of a fight in the front parking lot involving approximately ten subjects. It was reported that one of the subjects involved was possibly “unconscious.” Upon arrival, officers met with Saul Garcia of Florence Court in Lakewood, NJ, who had minor injuries consistent with fighting. Saul Garcia stated that two, unknown, black males “were looking for a fight” and started to argue with his sister, 25-year-old Shakira Soto of Martin Luther King Boulevard in Lakewood, NJ. Saul Garcia stated that when he came to his sister’s aid a fight ensued. Shakira Soto stated that during the altercation she was struck in the face with a closed fist. Both suspects fled the scene. A check of the area and local hospitals had negative results. The two suspects could not be identified at this time. Both victims declined medical treatment.
- Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 7:36 p.m., Officer Charles May responded to the area of Steuben Avenue and Stony Point Drive in reference to a suspicious person complaint. Upon arrival Officer May met with a subject on the property of 405 Steuben Avenue in Forked River. The subject provided Officer May with false information. Upon further investigation, Officer May identified the subject as 31-year-old Kalif A. Dollard of Sherman Avenue in Newark, NJ. Kalif Dollard was arrested after a $1,495 Essex County Sheriff’s Department Warrant and a $100 Newark Municipal Court Warrant were located. He was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with hindering his own apprehension. Judge Damian Murray set bail at $1,500. He was transported to Ocean County Jail in default of bail.
- Criminal Mischief – On Sunday, October 6, 2013 at 7:01 a.m. Officer Adam Ewart and Officer Scott Keefe discovered red spray painted graffiti on the cheerleading building while conducting a park check. Damage is estimated at $300.