Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release
September 3rd thru September 9th, 2013
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Unusual Incident (Narcotics Use) – On Tuesday September 3, 2013, at 8:30 p.m., Officer Androcy responded to the 700 block area of Sinclair Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for the report of an adult white male running in the street, yelling and removing his clothes. The male, later identified as 34 year-old Thomas Steadman was found inside his vehicle on Sinclair Avenue. Thomas Steadman admitted to abusing methadone and synthetic cocaine. Thomas Steadman was transported to the hospital for treatment. No drugs or paraphernalia were found. This matter is pending further investigation by Lacey Police along with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Shoplifting & Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at 10:47 a.m., the Lacey Township Police Department received a call from an eyewitness who observed a white male who came running out of the Staples (Office Supply Store), 300 Route 9 North in Forked River. The witness observed the subject enter into a beige minivan with NJ registration B46DHX, owned and operated by 83-year-old Benny Pezzino of Seaside Heights, NJ.
The witness believed that this subject may have done something wrong and decided to follow the vehicle as it drove away from the store. The Lacey Police Dispatcher contacted Staples confirming that the subject stole a Samsung Tablet and ran out of the store. With the assistance of the witness, officers were able to locate and stop the vehicle just before the Garden State Parkway entrance.
The male subject who ran was identified as 39-year-old Edward Willette of Toms River. He had separate warrants for his arrest from other jurisdictions totaling $1,500 bail. Investigation revealed that E. Willette not only stole the Samsung Tablet from Staples valued at $588, but also stole a Sylvania Netbook valued at $99 and a carton of L&M cigarettes valued at $68.00 from the CVS Pharmacy, 700 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor. E. Willette was charged with 2 counts of shoplifting, possession of an antishoplifting device, and possession of 50 grams or less of Marijuana. E. Willette was transported to Ocean County Jail with an additional $1,000 bail.
Warrant Arrests and Possession of CDS (Arrest) – On Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at 1:37 a.m. Sgt. Paul Sullivan observed four adult subjects in Bud Mezera Park, 1400 Lakeside Drive South, Forked River. After identifying the subjects, 2 warrants were discovered for 21-year-old David Rivera of Seaside Heights; one out of Cherry Hill with a bail of $775, and the other out of Stafford Township with bail set at $750. After his arrest, Officers located five wax folds containing heroin in his pocket. David Rivera was charged with possession of CDS (Heroin) with bail set at $10,000. David Rivera was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of the bail.
A $500 warrant out of Barnegat Township was also discovered for 24 year-old Thomas Staunton of Forked River. Barnegat Township authorized Thomas to be released on his own recognizance.
A complaint summons was prepared for all four subjects under Lacey Township Ordnance 261-34 for remaining in a township park after hours. The two additional adults were identified as 20-year-old, Krysta Badgette of Forked River, and 21-year-old, Sean Cox, also of Forked River.
Shoplifting & Unlawful Possession of Syringes (Arrest) – On Wednesday, September 4, 2013, at 8:03 p.m., Officers Kymberly Gudgeon and Robert Flynn responded to Lacey Liquors, 349 Route 9 North in Forked River for a report of a male wearing red shorts and a white shirt that had just stolen a bottle of liquor and ran out into the woods behind the 7-11 store near the business. After viewing surveillance video the liquor bottle was determined to be a 750 ml bottle of Ciroc Red Berry Vodka worth $36. Prior to the incident, Officer Flynn observed an adult male subject that this agency is familiar with in the area that fit the exact description of the suspect. That subject was unable to be located at that time.
On Friday September 6, 2013, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to Burger King, 346 Route 9 North, where Officer Mckee was on scene handling another matter. Officer Gudgeon observed the male suspected of shoplifting inside the Burger King establishment. Officer Gudgeon confronted 20 year-old Joseph Ferenc of Forked River who was still wearing the same clothing described on the individual who stole the liquor bottle. Joseph ultimately admitted to taking the liquor bottle and was placed under arrest. Joseph was also found to be in the possession of nine hypodermic syringes. He was charged with Shoplifting and possession of hypodermic syringes, and later released on a summons.
Shoplifting & Drug Charges (Arrest) – On Thursday, September 5, 2013, at 3:42 p.m., Officer Adam Ewart and Special Officer Jesse Urban responded to Wal-Mart, 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a shoplifter in custody. Officers identified the shoplifter as 24-year-old David Bond of Little Egg Harbor. A Wal-Mart Loss Prevention Officer observed David remove two novelty key chains (valued at $7.36) from their display and place them into his pant pocket. David was apprehended when he attempted to exit the store with the property in his pocket.
While retrieving the key chains from David’s pocket, Loss Prevention Officer Zach Sharp located a hypodermic syringe and a red plastic bottle cap. David Bond was later charged on a summons with Shoplifting, Possession of CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Hypodermic Syringe, and released.
Theft – On Friday September 6, 2013, Officer Adam Ewart responded to the 1000 block area of Peaksail Point in Lanoka Harbor. The complainant reported that sometime between 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2013 and 5:00 a.m. on Friday September 6, 2013, someone stole a surf board from the roof of their vehicle which held a total of four surf boards. The surf board is orange and yellow in color and valued at $250 (unknown make and model).
Shoplifting Attempt/ Warrant (Arrest) – On Friday, September 6, 2013, at 6:00 pm, Officer Adam Ewart and Special Officer Jesse Urban responded to Lacey Wal-Mart, 580 Route 9 North, Lanoka Harbor, NJ, for the report of two people possibly shoplifting. Officers met with Tyasia M. Cruz of Seaside Heights and Daniel Smith of Toms River. Tyasia was observed removing the security tags and plastic cases off of several DVD cases and then place them back onto the shelf. Officers discovered a $257.00 arrest warrant out of Neptune City for Tyasia who was placed under arrest and processed at Lacey Police Headquarters. Officers are continuing this investigation.
Theft of a Bicycle – On Saturday, September 7, 2013, Special Officer Travis Horton was dispatched to the 1900 block area of Sweetwood Drive in Forked River for a report of a stolen bicycle. The bicycle owner reported that someone stole their orange forked Mongoose Mountain Bike between September 6, 2013 at 11:00 p.m. and September 7, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. The bicycle was left out along the side of the house; it was valued at $400.
Underage Consumption of Alcohol – On Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 12:33 a.m., Officer Charles May was on routine patrol when he observed two adult white males walking through a neighborhood. Officer May asked for identification and one of the subjects, 18 year-old, James Murphy, became agitated and extremely uncooperative that the police were harassing him. Officer Julie Barcalow arrived on scene, and James Murphy began cursing at the officers and told police that he did not have any outstanding warrants but wished to be arrested. James motioned his arms at the officers to put handcuffs on him and he began yelling “arrest me” repeatedly at the officers. James then purposely blew his breath at Officer May’s facial area at which time he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage on his breath. James said “arrest me, I was drinking beer.” James was charged with Lacey Township Ordinance 130-14, Underage Consumption of Alcohol on a summons. James Murphy was served his summons and began walking away while yelling out abusive vulgarities at the officers as he flicked his lit cigarette on the ground. James was issued an additional summons for Lacey Township Ordinance 219-3 for littering.
Underage Consumption; Making Property and Alcohol Available to Minors – On Saturday, September 7, 2013, at 12:29 a.m., Sergeant Paul Sullivan and Officer Kymberly Gudgeon responded to a residence on Bayberry Drive in Lanoka Harbor for the report of a loud party. Upon the officers’ arrival, someone yelled out “Cops” at which point partygoers began hopping over fences to get away. 19-year-old Justin Devlin of Forked River was charged with Lacey Township Ordinance 130-14 for Underage Consumption of Alcohol. The homeowner, 52-year-old Peter Tar, was charged with Making Property Available for Underage Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages.
Criminal Mischief to Multiple Motor Vehicles – On Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 4:47 a.m. this agency responded to the 700 block area of Princeton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for a report of criminal mischief to a vehicle. Officers discovered the driver’s side view mirror had been broken. While at the scene Officers discovered numerous other vehicles with the same damages, some on surrounding streets and some in other areas of town. The damaged vehicles were found on Princeton Avenue, Radcliff Avenue, Cambridge Avenue, Oxford Road, Tappan Street, and Wallace Avenue. At least eight vehicles were reported with similar damage as residents from other parts of Lacey Township continued to report similar damages to their vehicles. It was determined that these incidents took place during the early morning hours on September 7, 2013. The initial caller heard a vehicle drive by then heard a sound like a car window breaking. This is an ongoing Investigation.
Possession of CDS (Arrest) – On Saturday, September 7, 2013 at 10:28 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota arrested Joseph P. Sinopoli Jr. charging him with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of CDS (Oxycodone). Officer A. Slota made contact with J. P. Sinopoli Jr. when a resident called police after seeing him lying on the ground, believing he had been struck by a vehicle. J. P. Sinopoli Jr. was found disoriented and had a bicycle that had significant damage to it. Joseph indicated to Officer Slota that he had not been struck by a vehicle but had fallen off his bike; he refused any and all medical care offered to him. J. P. Sinopoli Jr.
DUI Arrest; Possession of CDS and Paraphernalia (Arrest) – On Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 8:45 p.m., Officer George Resetar arrested 21-year-old Blake Patrovich of 1029 Orlando Drive in Forked River for DUI. Blake Patrovich drove his vehicle onto the property at 1404 Bullard Avenue in Forked River through sections of fencing destroying an above ground pool. His vehicle then collided with the residence across the street at 1322 Lee Way in Forked River where his vehicle came to rest. Upon his arrest, Officer Resetar discovered marijuana and a marijuana smoking pipe in Blake Patrovich’s vehicle. The vehicle was impounded. Blake was charged criminally with Possession of marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He also received summonses for the following motor vehicle violations: DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain a Lane.
Burglary and Theft from Motor Vehicle – On Monday, September 9, 2013, Officer Anderson responded to the 400 block area of Sinclair Avenue where he met with two complainants. They reported that someone entered their unlocked vehicles parked in the driveway sometime between 9:30 p.m. on September 8, 2013 and 7:00 a.m. on September 9, 2013. Loose change and a purse were taken from the vehicles. The purse was reported as a a Dolce & Gabbana replica; black and gray in color. Total approximate value of the stolen property is $136.
Criminal Mischief to Motor Vehicles Multiple cases and Locations – During the overnight hours between Sunday, September 8, 2013 and Monday, September 9, 2013, Lacey Township Patrol Officers responded to numerous calls of vehicles being damaged by cement blocks being thrown at them. All of the damaged vehicles were parked in the roadway. Damages consisted of broken windows, dented doors, trunks hoods and roofs. Some of the vehicles had their side view mirrors broken off. This has received 27 reports of damaged vehicles with a majority of the vehicles having significant monetary damage. The total value of the damage is yet to be determined but is well into the thousands of dollars. The criminal mischief occurred on the following roadways: Lake Barnegat Drive North, Center Street, Edgemere Avenue, Williams Avenue, Steuben Avenue, Tappan Street, Nantucket Road, Whitcomb Road, Elwood Street, Whitcomb Road, and Beverly Road in Forked River as well as Easy Street, Hardwood Drive, and Princeton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor.