Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – June 3 through June 10, 2021
Burglary- On Thursday, June 3, 2021, at 10:07 a.m., Officer Noah Schaffer responded to a Tappan Street residence in reference to vehicle burglaries. The homeowner reported that during overnight hours, unknown person(s) entered two vehicles parked in his driveway. While inside, the actors stole a small amount of cash and a duffel bag containing clothing.
Arrest- On Sunday, June 6, at 7:30 p.m., officers responded to the Lacey Inn in reference to a tenant dispute. While there, officers discovered that the tenant, William Grischuk, 28, had an outstanding warrant issued by the South Toms River Municipal Court. William was arrested on the strength of the warrant and was turned over to South Toms River Police.
Burglary- On Monday, June 7, 2021, at 8:10 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht was dispatched to Brickwall Corporation for a reported theft. The owner conveyed that over the weekend, suspects broke into several storage containers stealing various items from within. Additionally, several catalytic converters had been cut from vehicles on the property. Detective Adam Ewart and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit processed the scene. The theft is estimated at $4,000.
Fraud- On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, at 1:58 p.m., Officer Matthew D’Antonio met with a Forked River resident who reported a scam. The victim reported meeting someone on a dating app and was coerced into purchasing gift cards to pay for travel plans.
Fraud- Several Township residents reported that more unemployment claims had been made using their personal information. Simultaneously, suspects opened bank accounts utilizing the same personal information.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – May 27 through June 3, 2021
Criminal Mischief- On Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 3:14 a.m., police received a call from a Brentwood Road resident reporting damage to his home. Officers discovered that a large rock was thrown through the front window of the residence while the family slept. A search of the area did not reveal any suspects.
Missing Person- On Saturday, May 29, 2021, at 10:10 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht took a report concerning a missing 73 year-old man. The caller reported that the man suffers from dementia and might have been missing for nearly two days. Search efforts were conducted with the assistance of several other agencies including K-9 units. At 2:45 p.m., the man was located lying in a wooded area approximately ½ mile from his Lanoka Harbor residence. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Theft- On Sunday, May 30, 2021, at 10:26 a.m., Officer Andrew Slota was dispatched to an Edgemere Avenue home in reference to a theft. The victim reported that an unknown suspect stole 12 decorative fence pieces from the front of the residence. The theft was valued at $120.
Fraud- On Monday, May 31, 2021, several reports were taken involving fraudulent claims. Two victims explained that unknown suspect(s) used their personal information to file for unemployment benefits. Both victims were working at the time the claims were made.
Arrest- On Monday, May 31, 2021, at 3:55 p.m., Aaron Peirson was arrested by the Stafford Township Police Department on the strength of a Lacey Township warrant. The warrant was issued after Officer Michael Baldasari took a theft report on May 26, 2021. Peirson, 29, was identified by the Home Depot staff after he stole an impact wrench valued at $179. Peirson was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Fraud- On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at 10:12 a.m., a Joffre Road resident reported fraudulent activity to her bank account. The victim explained that she received notification that her Pay Pal account information had been altered. Upon checking her account, she noticed an unauthorized purchase of $939.59. The charge was directly linked to her Chase Bank account where the funds were withdrawn.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – May 20 through May 26, 2021
Theft– On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 6:53 p.m., Officer Elton Copes took a theft report from a local business. An employee reported observing a customer acting suspicious prior to leaving the store. Afterward, the employee discovered that her wallet was missing. Officer Copes was able to locate the customer and recover the wallet. No criminal charges were filed.
Theft– On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:01 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins was dispatched to the rail trail for a theft report. The victim reported that his electric bicycle, valued at $1,600, was taken by another male subject. A suspect was identified and is being sought.
DWI– On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:13 p.m., Officers Dallas Gant and Anthony Sarno responded to a two-car motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Haines Street. During the investigation it was determined that one driver, Robert Coughran, was under the influence. Coughran was arrested and charged with DWI and Reckless Driving. He was also charged criminally with Assault by Auto prior to being released pending a Court appearance.
DWI– On Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 10:49 p.m., Officers Elton Copes and Patrick Watkins arrested an individual for DWI. The arrest was made after Edward Beaton was stopped in the parking lot of Wawa, Lanoka Harbor, and deemed under the influence. Beaton was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Refusal to Submit to Breath Samples.
Theft– On Sunday, May 23, 2021, at 9:15 a.m., Officer John Simonson took a theft report from a Bamber Lake business. An employee reported that an unknown suspect forced entry into a locked shipping container stealing items from within. The stolen items, valued at $2,500, included a quad and a welder.
Theft– On Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at 8:37 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari took a theft report from a Forked River resident. The victim reported that their black 2021 Big Tex 18 foot flatbed trailer, valued at $5,000, was taken from their property during the overnight hours. The investigation is ongoing.
Shoplifting– On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 9:10 a.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella responded to Home Depot for a report of a male shoplifter who had fled the store with merchandise. The investigation revealed that the suspect had stolen over $300 worth of tools prior to fleeing the area. The suspect has been identified and is being sought.
Shoplifting– On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 4:00 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari responded to Home Depot for a report of a male shoplifter who had fled the store. The investigation revealed that a male had stolen a tool worth $200 prior to fleeing the area. The suspect has been identified and charges are pending.
Theft– On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 6:52 p.m., Officer Patrick Watkins was dispatched to a Forked River residence for a theft report. The victim reported that their child’s scooter, valued at $175, was taken from the front yard of their residence. Possible suspects were identified and are being sought.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – May 13 through May 20, 2021
Shoplifting- On Friday, May 14, 2021, at 7:34 p.m., Officers Keith Pearce and Brian Holt were dispatched to Walmart for a shoplifting incident. During their investigation, officers determined that two Bayville residents, Valerie Coelho, 53, and Pelagio Coelho, 49, attempted to steal merchandise valued at $185.72. Both were arrested and charged with Shoplifting prior to being released.
Theft- On Saturday, May 15, 2021, at 8:21 p.m., a Llewellyn Parkway resident contacted police reporting a theft. Officer Randy Plis responded and reported that a Charbroil gas grill was stolen from the homeowner’s driveway. The male suspect, who was captured on surveillance video, was operating a Honda Ridgeline. The grill was valued at $200.
Arrest- On Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 5:53 p.m., Sergeant Michael Verwey and Officer Matthew D’Antonio responded to Route 9 and Lacey Road for a vehicle not moving from the intersection. Officers discovered a male driver and a female passenger asleep in the vehicle and not responding. Upon awakening, both subjects appeared under the influence. A search of the vehicle yielded 165 bags containing heroin, 20 syringes, and over $500 cash. The couple, Joseph Sinopoli, 28, and Alysha Manhat, 31, were arrested and charged with Possession of Heroin, Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Sinopoli was also charged with DWI and Reckless Driving. Both were lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Arrest- On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 12:15 p.m., Officers Michael Hein and Jeffery Slota arrested David Thomas, 51, at Cornerstone Apartments. Thomas had an active no-bail warrant issued by the Ocean County Superior Court for a probation violation. Three additional Municipal Court warrants, originating from Beachwood and Brick, were discovered with bail totaling $3,161. Thomas was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility.
Criminal Mischief- On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at 4:46 p.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to Walmart in reference to criminal mischief. Loss Prevention Officers reported that three juveniles removed spray paint from the shelves and painted various symbols and words on the concrete floor. The youths were released to family members at the scene. Criminal charges are pending damage estimates.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – May 6 through May 13, 2021
Fraud- On Friday, May 7, 2021, at 9:40 a.m., Officer Jason Lee met with a Township resident reporting fraud. The victim reported seeing a fraudulent charge on his bank statement and contacted the attached phone number. The suspect identified himself as a member of the Geek Squad and was permitted access to the victim’s computer. The suspect explained that he credited the victim’s account twice accidentally and arranged to have the victim send funds back. After transferring a large amount of cash, the victim realized that the transfer was to a fraudulent account.
Arrest- On Friday, May 7, 2021, at 6:45 p.m., officers responded to the Mercer County Correctional Facility to take custody of Michael Ritz, 27. Ritz was charged with Shoplifting from an incident that occurred at the CVS on March 25, 2021. The investigation was assigned to the detective bureau after Ritz stole perfume and cologne valued at $850. Ritz was identified through surveillance video collected at several different locations. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail after being processed.
Fraud- On Monday, May 10, 2021, at 4:53 p.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella documented a fraud report from a Lanoka Harbor resident. The victim was alerted by Amazon that he would be receiving a laptop delivery. Knowing that he did not place an order, the victim contacted the Amazon phone number, which was fraudulent. The victim was convinced to supply the suspect with $4,700 prior to realizing the matter was fictitious.
Fire- On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at 12:07 p.m., patrol officers were dispatched to a possible structure fire on Beach Boulevard. Officers discovered a fully engulfed fire that had spread into the attic. Detective Brian Flynn and members of the Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire originated outside the rear door of the home, igniting the siding and spreading into the attic. The fire was deemed not suspicious.