• Theft (Bicycle) – On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 6:55 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to Headquarters for a report of a stolen bicycle. The parent reported that his daughter’s turquoise “Kent” beach cruiser-style bicycle was taken from his front yard on Beverly Road in Forked River between Thursday, October 12, and Sunday, October 15, 2017. The bicycle is valued at $89.99.
  • Theft (Trailer Hitch) – On Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at 10:39 a.m., Officer Dimitrios Tsarnas responded to Headquarters for a report of a stolen trailer hitch. The victim reported that between the hours of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 16, 2017, and Tuesday morning, the hitch was taken from his vehicle parked in his driveway on Horner Lane in Forked River. The trailer hitch is valued at $299.
  • Theft (Catalytic Converters) – On Monday, October 16, 2017, at 3:48 p.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella responded to Christopher’s Auto Sales, Route 9, Lanoka Harbor, for a report of theft of auto parts. The caller reported that two vehicles, parked in the back along the fence, were missing catalytic converters. The damage caused on the first vehicle by removal of the catalytic converter is estimated at $700; the damage to the second vehicle is estimated at $300.
  • DUI Arrest – On Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 6:10 p.m., Officers Julie Barcalow and Michael Verwey conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road in Forked River for an erratic driver. The driver, 41-year-old Michael C. Bruch, Estates Boulevard, Hamilton, NJ, was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters processed and released on three  motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • DUI Arrest – On Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 3:25 p.m., Officers John Simonson and Daniel Ricciardella responded to the Home Depot, Route 9, Forked River, for a possible intoxicated driver. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 62-year-old Danny T. Backhaus, Kent Drive, Forked River. He was transported to police headquarters processed and released on two motor vehicle summonses for DWI and Reckless Driving.  The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Drug & Warrant Arrests – On Sunday, October 15, 2017, at 1:52 a.m., Officer Anthony Sarno was on patrol near the Wawa located near Laurel Boulevard, 701 Route 9 North, when he observed a vehicle leave the parking lot without its rear taillights illuminated. The vehicle was stopped on South Street and Warren Avenue in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 37-year-old Dustin D. Biondo, Birch Street, Bayville, on an outstanding warrant out of Toms River Municipal Court for resisting arrest in the bail amount of $250. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Dustin D. Biondo received motor vehicle summonses for Maintenance of Lamps, Open Container of Alcohol, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, Failure to Exhibit Registration, and Failure to Exhibit Driver’s License. A passenger, 27-year-old Joshua B. Rossi, Beach Boulevard, Forked River, was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Lacey Township Municipal Court in the bail amount of $533. Joshua Rossi was found to be in possession of marijuana under 50 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to police headquarters and processed on a warrant. He received a motor vehicle summons for Failure to Wear a Seat Belt. Joshua Rossi was later transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing. Another passenger, 28-year-old Caitlin E. Sheeran, Walnut Drive, Lanoka Harbor, was given motor vehicle summons for Failure to wear Seat Belt and charged on a summons for possession of Marijuana under 50 grams.
  • Counterfeiting – On Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 8:12 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the Wawa, Lacey Road, Forked River, for a report of a transaction where counterfeit bills were used to purchase gift cards. The Wawa employee reported that $200 in counterfeit money was passed while she was working. The suspects purchased two separate gift cards in the amount of $100 each using counterfeit $20 dollar bills mixed in with real bills. Surveillance video captured the transaction and is currently under investigation.
  • DUI Arrest – On Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 8:05 p.m., Officer Jason Lee conducted a traffic stop on Beach Boulevard in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 27-year-old Gary A. Bridges, Beach Boulevard, Forked River, for Driving while Intoxicated.   Gary A. Bridges was transported to police headquarters processed and released on five motor vehicle summonses for DUI, Reckless, Failure to Maintain Lane, Open Container, and CDS in a Motor Vehicle. The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • DUI Arrest – On Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 6:37 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lake Barnegat Drive North and Steuben Avenue, Forked River, for failure to maintain lane. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 62-year-old Jose L. Miranda, Chelsea Street, Forked River for DUI. He was transported to police headquarters processed and released on three motor vehicle summonses for Driving while Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane.   The vehicle he was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • DUI Arrest – On Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 11:48 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota and Sergeant Michael Eden responded to Walmart, Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, for an intoxicated person attempting to drive her vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 59-year-old Diane S. Burgoyne, Overview Court, Bayville, NJ, for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters processed and released on three motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Open Container in Motor Vehicle. The vehicle she was driving was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • CDS Arrest (Heroin) – On Friday, October 13, 2017, at 4:33 p.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to Tampa Road and Clubhouse Drive for a report of a male sleeping in the driver seat with the vehicle running. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 40-year-old Andrew Plenge of Jennifer Lane, Manahawkin, NJ, for Possession of CDS and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to police headquarters and processed on a criminal warrant for possession of Heroin. Andrew Plenge also received a motor vehicle summons for possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle. He was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility to await a bail hearing.
  • Theft (Roofing Materials) – On Friday, October 13, 2017, at 10:19 a.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to the 300 block of Route 9 South in Forked River for a report of theft. The victim reported that sometime between the hours of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 12, 2017, and Friday, October 13, 2017, someone took a roll of Versa-Guard Brand, 10’W x50’L, rubber adhesive roof that was on the side of the building. The rubber roofing is valued at $510.