• MVA (Injury) – On October 11, 2017, at 9:57 a.m., the Lacey Township Police Department responded to Route 539 in the area of milepost 17 for an overturned dump truck. The single vehicle crash involved a fully loaded 2002 Mack Truck dump truck that left the roadway, struck a utility pole, and overturned. The truck had been traveling north near milepost 17 when the driver lost control. The truck crossed the southbound lanes and left the roadway, striking several trees and a utility pole. The truck overturned and the contents of the truck spilled onto the roadway, rendering the roadway impassable. The utility pole was snapped in two and the wires were lying across the roadway. Preliminary investigation revealed the truck may have experienced a front tire blow out as it was traveling through the curved, downhill portion of the roadway, which likely was a significant factor in the crash. Route 539 was closed in both directions from Route 72 in Barnegat to Harry Wright Blvd. in Manchester for approximately 6 hours. The sole occupant of the dump truck, Eric Rice, 51, Lakewood, was extricated and transported to Community Medical Center for treatment of injuries sustained in the crash. The truck is owned by Atlantic Industries LLC, of Cranbury, New Jersey. The Berkeley Township HAZMAT Team responded to the scene as a result of a diesel fuel leak from the heavily damaged Mack Dump Truck.  Lacey Township Police Officer Evan Androcy is the investigating officer. The Forked River Fire Department, Bamber Lakes Fire Department, Forked River and Bamber Lakes First Aid Squads, MONOC Paramedics, Berkeley Township HAZMAT Team, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department, and Ocean County Road Department assisted at the scene.
  • DUI Arrest – On Sunday, October 8, 2017, at 2:58 a.m., Officer Michael Verwey was on patrol when he observed a vehicle improperly parked in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 403 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor. The driver of the vehicle was also slumped over into the passenger seat of the vehicle. Upon further investigation, the driver, 42-year-old Stephanie A. Lyons of Beachwood Boulevard in Beachwood, NJ was placed under arrest for Driving under the Influence as well as for possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances. Stephanie Lyons was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle, Possession of CDS, and Possession of Prescription Legend Drug. The vehicle she was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Disorderly Conduct – On Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 10:22 p.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to the Captain’s Inn, 304 East Lacey Road in Forked River, for a report of a fight in progress. The management reported that an unwanted guest, who had caused a disturbance earlier in the evening, returned to the wedding reception and caused a physical altercation after refusing to leave. Investigation at the scene led to 62-year-old David T. Tenney of Centerville Road in Newville, Pennsylvania being charged with Disorderly Conduct. David Tenney was issued a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for Disorderly Conduct and released at the scene.
  • Vehicle Burglary – On Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 8:58 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari responded to Caffrey’s, 440 Route 9 South in Forked River, for a report of theft from a motor vehicle. The complainant reported that between 4:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, 2017 unknown person(s) entered his vehicle and stole several items. The vehicle was unlocked and parked behind the dumpster in the parking lot of the restaurant during the time of the incident. The complainant reported that $2.50 in change, some Marlboro Menthol 100 cigarettes, a screwdriver with an orange handle, a pair of pliers, and a TomTom GPS were stolen. The total value of the stolen property is $88.50.
  • Trespassing – On Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 7:43 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe observed a vehicle trespassing on the power lines on the south side of Lacey Road near the entrance/exit of the Garden State Parkway. Officer Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop of the 1991 Jeep Wrangler on Lacey Road near Spaulding Avenue. Investigation at the scene led to 41-year-old Leeann Pesini and 50-year-old Anthony Pesini, both of Lacey Road in Forked River, being charged with Trespassing and released on a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for trespassing.
  • Warrant/Drug Arrest – On Saturday, October 7, 2017, at 6:49 a.m., Officer Michael Hein was on patrol when he observed a vehicle fail to come to a complete stop before making a right turn on red at the traffic signal located at the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9. Officer Hein conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle on Route 9 South near the intersection of Oak Street in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 31-year-old Dana M. Demaio of Lincoln Avenue in Ridgefield, NJ on an active Elmwood Park Municipal Court traffic warrant for unregistered vehicle in the bail amount of $89. Dana Demaio was also found to be in possession of prescription medication for which she did not have a valid prescription. Dana Demaio was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where she was released on her own recognizance by Elmwood Park Municipal Court on the warrant. Dana Demaio was also charged with Possession of CDS, Failure to Stop before a Right on Red, and CDS in a Motor Vehicle and released on a criminal summons.
  • CDS Arrest – On Friday, October 6, 2017, at 11:15 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe was traveling north on Route 9 in the Lanoka Harbor section of the township when he heard the horn of the vehicle in front of him activating constantly. Officer Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop of the gray 2009 Honda Civic on Route 9 North near the intersection of Bay Way in Lanoka Harbor. The driver indicated that the car alarm was malfunctioning causing the horn of the vehicle to repeatedly activate. While speaking with the driver, 41-year-old Christopher C. Wade of East Kennedy Boulevard in Lakewood, NJ, Officer Keefe detected the odor of raw marijuana emanating from the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Upon further investigation Christopher Wade was arrested for possession of Marijuana. Christopher Wade was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released on a criminal summons for Possession of 50 grams or Less of Marijuana, Failure to Maintain Horn in Proper Working Order, Failure to Wear Seatbelt, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor Vehicle.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Friday, October 6, 2017, at 10:49 p.m., 30-year-old David P. Hynes, Jr. of Grand Central Parkway in Bayville, NJ posted bail on an active Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant for Driving While Suspended in the bail amount of $750. David Hynes was processed and released after posting bail. Officer Michael Baldasari was the arresting officer.
  • Theft – On Friday, October 6, 2017, at 6:26 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to police headquarters for a report of theft. The victim reported that between September 22, 2017 and October 3, 2017 unknown person(s) entered her Forked River home and stole jewelry. The jewelry was located in a jewelry box in the kitchen of the residence. The stolen items were described as a gold necklace with a “NICOLE” nameplate valued at $400 and a gold and silver “XO” bracelet valued at $200. No signs of forced entry could be located.
  • DUI Arrest – On Friday, October 6, 2017, at 1:04 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari was on patrol when he observed a vehicle fail to obey a traffic signal at the intersection of Taylor Lane and Route 9. Officer Baldasari conducted a motor vehicle stop of the vehicle in the parking lot of the Bay Harbour Motor Lodge, 419 Route 9 South in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 44-year-old Michael A. Nazare of Standford Court West in Toms River, NJ, for DUI. Michael Nazare was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and charged with DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Observe a Traffic Signal. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
  • Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, October 5, 2017, at 8:43 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to Arient Road in the Barnegat Pines section of Forked River in reference to serving an arrest warrant on 31-year-old Matthew C. Clinton. Officer Sarno located Matthew Clinton and placed him under arrest on an outstanding North Hanover Township Municipal Court Traffic Warrant for Driving While Suspended in the bail amount of $500. Matthew Clinton was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released after posting bail.