Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – November 12th through November 19th, 2020
Fraud- On Thursday, November 12, 2020, at 1:18 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota was dispatched to a Lanoka Harbor residence in reference to fraud. The victim reported that she received an email from “Defender Firewall” regarding a $299 purchase that she did not authorize. When she contacted the attached phone number she was told that her account was accidently reimbursed $2,999 and asked to refund the difference by purchasing gift cards. The amount of $2,999 was never credited to the victim’s bank account.
DWI- On Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 8:36 a.m., Officer John Simonson was dispatched to Route 539 for a disabled vehicle. While speaking with the driver, Anastasia Zosko, it was determined that she was under the influence. Zosko was placed under arrest and ultimately released on her own recognizance pending a Court appearance. She was issued summonses for DWI and Reckless Driving.
Theft- On Saturday, November 14, 2020, at 11:35 a.m., Officer Matthew D’Antonio met with a business owner from the Lacey Business Park. The owner reported that during the overnight hours an unknown suspect cut the catalytic converter from one of his vans. The damage is valued at $550.
DWI- On Sunday, November 15, 2020, at 2:11 p.m., Officers Keith Pearce and Michael Baldasari were dispatched to the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9 after a truck nearly struck a utility pole. Officers discovered the truck stopped in the intersection and identified the driver as Conrad Cote. Cote, 53, was deemed under the influence and placed under arrest. He was issued summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Open Container in a Vehicle. He was released pending a Court appearance.
Assault- On Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at 12:16 p.m., Officers John Simonson and Michael Hutman responded to Home Depot for an assault. An employee reported that as he attempted to close an aisle a customer became irate. It was reported that during the customer’s displeasure, he headbutted the employee prior to leaving the store. The actor has not been identified.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – November 5th through November 12th, 2020
DWI- On Friday, November 6, 2020, at 10:25 p.m., Officers Bruce Carver and Anthony Ravallo were dispatched to 7- Eleven on Lacey Road for an intoxicated subject. Prior to their arrival, the subject drove from the parking lot and was stopped on Lacey Road. The driver, John Sanabia, 52, was deemed under the influence and arrested. Sanabia was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Submit to Breath Tests.
Arrest- On Sunday, November 8, 2020, at 12:12 a.m., Officer Bruce Carver was dispatched to Wawa, 701 Route 9, for a suspicious male in the bathroom. Officer Carver identified the subject as Joseph Izquierdo, 35, of Egg Harbor Township. During the interaction, an active warrant was located for Izquierdo leading to his arrest. Search incident to his arrest led to the discovery of narcotics and drug paraphernalia. Izquierdo was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility after being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe.
Shoplifting- On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 11:15 a.m., Officer Jason Lee responded to Walmart in reference to a theft. While there it was determined that Kristopher Coltenback, 43, attempted to exit the store with merchandise. Coltenback was charged with shoplifting and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Shoplifting- On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, at 4:48 p.m., Officer Jason Lee met with Loss Prevention at Home Depot in reference to a shoplifter. Officer Lee determined that the suspect, William Merkl, 36, had concealed items in an attempt to exit the store without payment. During Merkl’s arrest, he was found in possession of narcotics and a hypodermic syringe. Merkl was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in compliance with bail reform.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – October 29th through November 5th, 2020
DWI- On Sunday, November 1, 2020, at 6:01 p.m., Officer Bruce Carver conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road. During the stop it was determined that the driver, Francis Magliola, was under the influence. Magliola, 52, was arrested and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, and Failure to Signal. He was released pending a Court appearance.
Downed Wires- On Monday, November 2, 2020, at 10:21 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Manchester Avenue and Shrike Court in reference to electrical wires in the street. Traffic was detoured for approximately one hour while power was restored.
Fraud- On Monday, November 2, 2020, at 4:34 p.m., Officer Jason Lee met with a Forked River resident in reference to fraud. The caller reported that he purchased a vehicle part that he found posted on Facebook Market Place. Shortly after the purchase, the seller deleted the account and the victim was not able to make further contact with the seller. The purchase amount was $2,050.
Fraud- On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at 10:29 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht took a theft report from a Township resident. The victim reported that during a four-day period an unknown person transferred funds from her savings account to her checking using a debit card. The victim further added that the debit card was then used to make purchases in Paramus, New Jersey and New York City. The victim stated that she was in possession of her debit card during the time frame and only noticed the activity by reviewing her bank statement. The loss totaled $8,925.
Fire- On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, at 7:49 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe and the Forked River Fire Department were dispatched to a Tern Court residence for the report of smoke. It was determined that a decoration for a reptile tank overheated. No damage was reported.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – October 22nd through October 29th, 2020
Theft- On Thursday, October 22, 2020, at 12:14 p.m., Officer Michael Hutman was dispatched to a Buena Vista Road home for a reported theft. The homeowner stated that he recently had cash stolen from two separate locations, his home and vehicle. The theft is estimated at $1,670. No forced entry was observed at either location.
Fire- On Friday, October 23, 2020, at 12:08 a.m., officers were dispatched to the intersection of Route 9 and Nautilus Boulevard for a utility pole fire. Officers found that a transformer had exploded and flames were seen at the top of the pole. The Forked River Fire Department responded to assist. Traffic was diverted while JCP&L made repairs.
Fraud- On Friday, October 23, 2020, at 9:24 a.m., Officer Michael Hutman met with a Whitcomb Road resident in reference to fraudulent purchases. The victim conveyed that an unknown suspect opened an AT&T account using his personal information and he received a bill for the same. The victim further added that an iPhone valued at $850 was purchased under the same account.
Arrest- On Saturday, October 24, 2020, at 11:33 p.m., Officer Brian Holt met with a complainant reporting harassment. The victim stated that she was being harassed through social media accounts by an unknown user. The investigation led to the arrest of William Bartlett, 41. Bartlett was charged with Cyber Harassment and released on his own recognizance.
Fatal MVA- On Sunday, October 25, 2020, at approximately 5:11 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Bay Avenue for a report of a motorcycle crash. Preliminary investigation revealed that the driver of the motorcycle crashed as he traveled north on Route 9 near the State Marina. Members of the Lacey Police Fatal Accident Team responded along with the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit. Route 9 was closed for several hours with the assistance of the NJ Department of Transportation. The accident remains under investigation.
Theft- On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, at 7:24 p.m., Officer Michael Hein met with an Oxgoose Drive resident in reference to a theft. The victim reported an amount of cash and several pieces of jewelry missing from her home. The theft was valued at $900 and no forced entry into the home was observed.
Shoplifting- On Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 2:32 p.m., Officers Scott Anderson and Jason Lee responded to Kohls in reference to a shoplifting. Loss Prevention reported that an adult female attempted to exit the store with various items including a vacuum and shoes. Officers located Ivory Cross, 31, in her vehicle and discovered that she was in possession of an anti-theft tag remover. Cross was placed under arrest and charged with Shoplifting and Possession of an Anti-Shoplifting Device. She was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform.
Weekly Police Blotter – Lacey Township Police Department – October 8th through October 15th, 2020
Fraud- During the past several weeks, four Lacey residents filed similar reports concerning unemployment benefits. Each victim described that their personal information was used while an unknown suspect(s) attempted to apply for unemployment. In each instance, the suspect received no benefit.
Fraud- On Saturday, October 10, 2020, at 10:01 a.m., Officer Alan Abrecht met with a Lacey resident in reference to a fraudulent incident. The elderly victim explained that he was having issues with his computer and was contacted by an unknown suspect claiming to representative of a computer company. During the interaction, the victim provided the suspect with personal information that allowed access to his bank account. At the end of the incident, the suspect was able to steal $10,000 through several different transactions.
Fire- On Monday, October, 12, 2020, at 9:20 a.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella was dispatched to the Lanoka Harbor Marina in reference to a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, it was discovered that a 2012 Dodge Ram pickup was on fire in the lot near several dry-docked boats. The vehicle fire was extinguished by the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department without damage to any other property. The Ocean County Fire Marshal responded deeming the fire not suspicious.
Fraud- On Monday, October 12, 2020, at 3:16 p.m., Officer Jason Lee took a fraud report from a Forked River resident. The victim reported sending a $500 deposit to Florida for the purchase of a dog. After the deposit was accepted, the victim forwarded the remaining money, $620. Since the total sum was paid, the seller refuses to answer any contact attempts from the victim. One day later, the victim returned to headquarters reporting that her credit card information was being used in Maryland. The fraudulent purchases exceeded $330.
Threats- On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, at 5:01 p.m., Officer Michael Hutman met with a Forked River family in reference to threats. The family reported that their 12 year-old daughter was receiving threats and demands for naked photos by an unknown suspect through Snapchat. The investigation was forwarded to the detective bureau.