- DUI with Motor Vehicle Crash (Arrest) – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 11:59 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari responded to the area of Kearny Avenue and Lakeside Drive North in Forked River for a report of a one-car motor vehicle crash involving a utility pole. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 24-year-old Mariah K. Bartley of Windlass Drive in Manahawkin, NJ for DUI. She was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. Mariah K. Bartley was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle she was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 11:51 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno was patrolling the parking lot of Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River, when he recognized an adult male known to him to have active arrest warrants. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 27-year-old Joseph J. Caputo, 4th of Barnacle Road in Forked River, on an outstanding Lacey Township Municipal Court warrant in the bail amount of $500 and an Ocean County Sheriff’s Department warrant in the bail amount of $8896. He was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. Joseph J. Caputo, 4th was later lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.
- Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 4:26 p.m., Officer Michael Verwey responded to the 1700 block of Hillside Place in Forked River, for a report of a residential burglary. The victim reported that between Wednesday, August 30, 2017 and Tuesday, September 5, 2017, an unknown person or persons pried open a back window of her residence and stole an unknown amount of jewelry from within. The Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau responded to the scene and is continuing the investigation.
- DUI and Drug Arrest – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 4:09 p.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to the area of Route 9 South in Forked River in reference to a report of an erratic driver. A vehicle description was provided and a short time later Officer Lee located the vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on the 300 block of Route 9 South in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 32-year-old James R. Wareham of Niihau Drive in Forked River for DUI. He was also found to be in Possession of CDS. James R. Wareham was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. He was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving and CDS in a Motor Vehicle. In addition he received a summons for Possession of Marijuana 50 grams or Less. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 7:57 a.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to the 900 block of Montauk Drive in Forked River for a report of a burglary. The victim, who is employed as a contractor at the residence, reported that between 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 27, 2017, and 7:45 a.m. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, an unknown person or persons entered the garage portion of the residence a stole a red Harbor Freight jack hammer valued at $500. No signs of forced entry were located and the incident remains under investigation.
- DUI Arrest – On Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at 5:33 a.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the parking lot of Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of a male slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 35-year-old Keith A. Bernier of East Lacey Road in Forked River, for DUI. He was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. Keith A. Bernier was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Refusal to Submit Breath Samples and Reckless Driving. The vehicle he was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.
- Theft – On Monday, September 4, 2017, at 4:18 p.m., Officer Julie Barcalow responded to the 700 block of Tampa Road in Forked River, for a report of theft. The victim reported that between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday, September 4, 2017, an unknown person or persons stole an aluminum fishing pole rack off the front of his truck. Furthermore, the victim reported that two commercial crab traps and an anchor were stolen from his boat. Both the truck and boat were parked in the driveway of a residence located on the 800 block of Tampa Road in Forked River at the time of the theft. The total value of the stolen property is estimated at $250.
- Shoplifting – On Monday September 4, 2017, at 11:29 a.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to the Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for two shoplifters. The Asset Protection employee reported that two female subjects were observed inside the store concealing merchandise into bags and attempting to leave the store without paying for the merchandise. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 19-year-old Nicole R. Baynard of Route 166 in Toms River, NJ and 26-year-old Courtney A. Fiore of Overview Court in Bayville, NJ for shoplifting merchandise valued at $153.84. Both suspects were transported to Police Headquarters and processed. They were both released after receiving a criminal summons for shoplifting.
- Fireworks – On Sunday, September 3, 2017, at 8:22 p.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to the area of Sommerell Avenue and Woodland Road in Forked River for a complaint of fireworks. Investigation at the scene led to a Special Form of Complaint and Summons be issued against 29-year-old Brian A. Shiflett of Woodland Road in Forked River for Possession of Fireworks. He was released at the scene.
- Theft – On Friday, September 1, 2017, at 11:10 a.m., Officer John Cernek responded to the Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River, for a theft report. The victim reported that during the early morning hours of Friday, September 1st, 2017, an unknown person or persons stole her bicycle from the woods behind the Wawa. The bicycle was described as being a blue 15-speed girls mountain bike valued at $200.