Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – January 15, 2021 through January 21, 2021
DUI – On Thursday, January 14, 2021, at 11:58 p.m., Officers Brian Holt and Bruce Carver responded to a motor vehicle crash on Arlington Avenue. Officers discovered that a vehicle driven by Christopher Kaminsky, 37, collided with a parked car while using his cell phone. During the investigation, Kaminsky was deemed under the influence and arrested. Prior to being released, Kaminsky was issued summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Use of a Cell Phone, and Refusal to Submit to Breath Tests.
Fraud – On Friday, January 15, 2021, at 1:19 p.m., Officer Kymberly Gudgeon met with a Lanoka Harbor business owner reporting fraudulent activity to his checking account. The victim stated that an unknown actor cashed two counterfeit checks against his account. The theft totaled $4,959.
Theft – On Friday, January 15, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., Officer Brian Holt responded to Walmart where he met with a 75 year-old Waretown resident. The female victim reported that after completing her shopping earlier in the day she went to the register and was unable to locate her wallet. Assuming that she left it at home, she returned there and discovered that her credit card was used while she was shopping at Walmart. Store surveillance video captured a male and a female couple following the victim closely assumingly attempting to steal the victim’s wallet. The video later shows the female suspect using the victim’s credit card at the register to purchase items valued at $664.40. All attempts are being made to identify the actors.
Fraud- On Tuesday, January 19, 2021, at 2:06 p.m., Officer Scott Anderson met with a Forked River resident in reference to unknown suspect(s) gaining access to her email. The suspect allegedly sent out an email describing that a mutual friend was diagnosed with cancer. The suspect then asked that each friend purchase a gift card and forward a photo of the gift card pin information to help the victim with her finances. Two victims purchased $300 target gift cards in attempt to help. Only one card’s information was turned over before it was determined to be a scam.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – December 10th through December 17th, 2020
DWI- On Thursday, December 10, 2020, at 4:32 p.m., Officer Dan Ricciardella conducted a motor vehicle stop in the Community Hall parking lot. The driver, Kathleen Wilbert, was deemed under the influence and placed under arrest. Kathleen was charged with DWI and Reckless Driving. She was released pending a Court appearance.
MVA- On Saturday, December 12, 2020, at 7:06 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Nautilus Boulevard after a car struck a utility pole. Witnesses at the scene stated that the driver fled on foot after the crash. Officer Watkins discovered drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle consistent with heroin use. After a search of the area, the driver could not be located. The crash resulted in heavy damage to the utilities resulting in replacement of the pole. The accident remains under investigation.
DWI- On Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 12:38 a.m., Officer Elton Copes responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident on Lakeside Drive South. During the investigation, the driver was placed under arrest for being under the influence. James Duff, 20, was issued several motor vehicle summonses including DWI prior to being released.
Assault- On Sunday, December 13, 2020, at 2:01 p.m., Officer Jeffrey Slota took an initial report pertaining to an assault. The caller, a 30 year-old man, reported being assaulted while at a gathering near Forked River Mountain. The victim reported being struck in the head by an unknown suspect rendering him unconscious. Attempts are being made to identify the suspect(s).
Power Outage- On December 15, 2020, at 8:30 a.m., a large power outage occurred within the Township. The 90-minute outage caused an influx of calls for service including traffic lights out and alarm calls.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – December 3rd through December 10th, 2020
Fraud- On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 2:38 p.m., Officer Michael Hutman met with a Forked River couple in reference to identity theft. The couple reported that over the past several days they discovered that an unknown suspect(s) open credit cards using their names and social security numbers. The suspects were provided with one temporary credit card when the application was made.
Fraud- On Tuesday, December 8, 2020, at 7:50 p.m., Officer Randolph Plis took a report from a Forked River resident. The caller stated that he made an $800 purchase through Facebook Marketplace and never received the item. Since the purchase, the seller has blocked the caller.
Arrest- On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 4:10 p.m., detectives approached two vehicles in a commercial lot suspected of drug activity. The drivers of the vehicles were detained after detectives witnessed a transaction of marijuana for cash. Benjamin Schneider, 18, was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Distribution of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The second actor, a 17 year-old male, was released to parents at the scene and charges are pending.
Fraud- On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 6:59 p.m., Officer Dallas Gant was dispatched to a Lanoka Harbor residence in reference to fraudulent activity. The victim explained that an alleged representative of the Social Security Office contacted her. The suspect convinced the victim that her Social Security account was compromised and that she would need to purchase a gift card to rectify the issue. The caller purchased a $500 Apple gift card and provided the suspect with the purchase information prior to realizing that the incident was fraudulent.
Burglary- On Wednesday, December 9, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., Officer Anthony Ravallo was dispatched to a Center Street home in reference to a theft. The caller reported that when she arrived home she discovered that jewelry and $300 cash had been stolen from her bedroom. No forced entry was located.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – November 26th through December 3rd, 2020
Fraud- On Saturday, November 28, 2020, at 12:36 p.m., Officer Scott Anderson spoke with a Forked River couple in reference to a scam. The couple described that they were contacted by a representative of JCP&L who reported that their payment was late. In order to remedy the issue, the couple forwarded a payment in excess of $300 to the provided location. Afterward, the victims checked their monthly accounts and realized that they had been scammed.
Arrest- On Saturday, November 28, 2020, at 9:59 p.m., Officer Michael Hein and Special Officer Dylan Emmett conducted a motor vehicle stop on Western Boulevard for excessive speed. During the stop, officers discovered an amount of marijuana in the vehicle and arrested the driver. Leeann Lesko-Dyer, 20, was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
DWI- On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 6:42 p.m., Officer Martin Julian was dispatched to Lacey Road for a reported erratic driver. After locating the vehicle, Officer Julian conducted a motor vehicle stop and identified the driver as Eduardo Valentin, 62. Valentin was deemed under the influence and placed under arrest. Prior to being released Valentin was issued summonses for DWI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane.
Fraud- On Tuesday, December 1, 2020, at 8:43 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver met with a Lanoka Harbor resident who reported credit card fraud. The victim explained that although his credit card was in his possession, the credit card company alerted him that purchases were made in New York. The card was cancelled before any further transactions were approved.
Arrest- On Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at 11:36 p.m., Officers Bruce Carver and Martin Julian responded to Wawa, Lanoka Harbor, after receiving a call for a person under the influence inside the store. Upon arrival, officer met with Alexandra Vandorn. While speaking with Vandorn, 34, officers discovered that she had concealed items including a USB cord and food while in the store. Vandorn was placed under arrest for shoplifting and later released on her own recognizance pending a Court appearance.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – November 19th through November 26th, 2020
Arrest- On Thursday, November 19, 2020, at 9:03 p.m., officers made contact with a 21 year-old man and a juvenile female parked at the second lake. During the interaction, officers discovered an amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia leading to the arrest of the driver, Dominick Verone, 21. Verone was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Controlled Dangerous Substance in a Motor Vehicle. The juvenile was released at the scene to her mother.
Fraud- On Saturday, November 21, 2020, at 9:16 a.m., Officer Jason Lee met with a Forked River resident who reported being scammed. The caller stated that she received an email from Amazon reporting a suspicious transaction on her account. Upon calling the provided number, the victim was convinced to purchase a gift card and provide the information to the alleged employee of Amazon. The victim later discovered that the email was fictitious.
Arrest- On Monday, November 23, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., Officer Michael Baldasari was dispatched to Forever Young Nursery School in reference to a theft. The caller reported that during the overnight hours an unknown actor stole playground equipment from the property. The equipment was being staged in the parking lot as it was being installed. On Wednesday, November 25th, Officer Baldasari located the equipment at a Caldwell Avenue residence. The homeowners, Kyle and Christine Pagano were issued a summons for Possession of Stolen Property. The equipment was returned to Forever Young with the assistance of Public Works.
Fraud- On Monday, November 23, 2020, at 4:15 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver responded to a local pharmacy in reference to fraud. The pharmacist reported that she received a call from a doctor’s office to fill prescription. Prior to filling the medication, it was determined that the call was fraudulent. Further investigation is being conducted.
Criminal Mischief- On Monday, November 23, 2020, at 8:05 p.m., Officer Randolph Plis was dispatched to City MD. The staff reported that an irate patient punched a plexiglass separation causing it to fall and damage a computer screen. The incident is under further investigation.
Burglary- On Wednesday, November 25, 2020, Officer Kymberly Gudgeon took several reports of thefts from vehicles on Wellesley Road. Three separate unlocked vehicles were entered during overnight hours and personal belongings were stolen.