Weekly Police Blotter

Drug Arrest- On Friday, May 17, 2019, Officers Holt and Schaffer responded Wawa, Lanoka Harbor, for a suspicious person.  Upon their arrival, officers discovered 35 year-old Robert Sammis of Ocean Gate sleeping in his vehicle.  Officers also observed an amount of heroin between the legs of Sammis.  Sammis was charged with Possession of Heroin and released in accordance with bail reform.

Theft- On Saturday, May 18, 2019, Officer Simonson responded to Walmart in reference to a theft.  A customer reported accidently leaving her wallet on the counter and now it could not be located.  A review of the store surveillance revealed that a second woman picked up the wallet and walked to the bathroom.  The wallet was later discovered in the bathroom garbage without the cash that was originally stored in it.  The suspect, Tiffany Roggenkamp, 21, of Beachwood, was located in the store and charged with theft.  Roggenkamp was released at the scene.

Harassment- On Saturday, May 18, 2019, a Pheasant Run resident reported that she was being harassed by a landscaper.  The resident reported that stone was delivered to her home although she did not enter an agreement with the landscaper.  On several occasions, the landscaper reportedly demanded to be paid for the stone.  Several other neighbors reported similar situations.

Warrant Arrest- On Saturday, May 18, 2019, Officers John Simonson and Jeff Slota were dispatched to an Inland Drive, Forked River residence for a dispute.  During the investigation, officers discovered that one of the parties was wanted by Brick Township for failure to appear at a Court appearance.  Taylor Bottomly, 28, was placed under arrest and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of $1,000 bail.

Shoplifting- On Sunday, May 19, 2019, Officers Holt and Barcalow responded to Walmart in reference to a shoplifting.  Nino Mimioshvili, 54, of New York City was arrested for altering price tags and not ringing certain items at the self-checkout.  Mimioshvili was charged with two counts of Shoplifting and released in accordance with bail reform.

Motor Vehicle Accident/Drug Arrest- On Sunday, May 19, 2019, Officer Lee responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Parkers Point Boulevard for a report of a two-car motor vehicle accident. Both parties involved complained of minor injuries and were treated at the scene. One of the two drivers, John Grobosky Jr., 32, of Waretown was arrested at the scene after marijuana and drug paraphernalia was discovered in his vehicle.  Grobosky was released on his own recognizance after being charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Trespassing- On Sunday, May 19, 2019, Officer Holt responded to Walmart in reference to trespassing.  Loss prevention employees advised Officer Holt that Christopher Foster, 37, of Lanoka Harbor, was in the store knowing he was banned there.  Foster was issued a summons for Defiant Trespassing and released pending a Court appearance.

Fraud– On Monday, May 20, 2019, Officer Hutman responded to a Laurel Boulevard, Lanoka Harbor residence in reference to fraud.  The caller reported that he received a bill from Verizon Wireless in the amount of $3,018 for cell phone purchases although he does not have a Verizon account.  It appears that an unknown suspect used the victim’s personal information and had the merchandise delivered to his home while he was on vacation.

Theft– On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, Officer McKee responded to Lacey Used Auto Parts for a theft report.  Management reported that five catalytic converters were removed and stolen from vehicles stored at the yard.  The catalytic converters are valued at $500.

Fraud- On Friday, May 3, 2019, Officer Michael Baldasari took a report of fraud from a Township resident.  The resident reported that he received an offer via Craigslist for outdoor furniture that he had posted for sale.  The purchaser forwarded a check via overnight mail for an amount much higher than the asking price.  The buyer asked that the check be cashed and the extra money to be given to the moving company that was hired to transport the furniture.  After becoming suspicious of the proposed sale, the seller discovered that the check originated from an Oklahoma bank that had no record of the account.   

Assist other Agency – On Thursday, May 2, 2019, at 7:45 p.m., officers began checking the waterfront of the Barnegat Bay in an attempt to locate a lost kayaker after receiving a request from the Berkeley Township Police Department.  It was immediately determined that the subject was near the mouth of the Forked River.  Agencies including the Forked River Fire Department and Lacey Township Underwater Rescue & Recovery were summoned to assist the NJSP Marine Unit.  The subject, a 46 year-old Maryland man, later pulled himself to safety using a dock at the back of a residence on Island View Drive in Forked River.

Theft – On Friday, May 3, 2019, at 4:39 p.m., Officer Martin Julian responded 206 Station Drive for a report of a theft of a generator.  The complainant, 51-year-old Robert Emmer, reported that between 10:00 p.m. on 5/2/2019 and 3:13 p.m. this date, his 10,000 watt generator was stolen from his unlocked shed.  The generator was valued at $1,036.

MV Stop / Impound – On Saturday, May 4, 2019, at 12:06 a.m., Officers Jesse Dalziel and Robert Duffy were investigating a suspicious automobile in front of Building 8 of 900 Gary Smith Way, Forked River.  During the course of that investigation, a motorcycle was heard from a distance and observed entering the parking lot traveling towards the officers.  As the motorcycle passed officers it was discovered that it did not display a license plate.  A subsequent stop revealed that the driver, Anthony Caruso, 36, did not possess a valid motorcycle license, nor was the motorcycle registered or insured.  In addition to a summons being issued for each offense, the motorcycle was impounded.

Fatal MV Accident– At 11:35 a.m., Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Lacey officers responded to Route 539 in reference to a serious motor vehicle accident.  Upon arriving, officers discovered a two-car crash involving a passenger vehicle and a box van.  The accident claimed the life of the passenger car driver, a 78 year-old Whiting, New Jersey woman.  The driver of the box van, a 30 year-old Newark, New Jersey man was transported to Southern Ocean Medical Center for minor injuries.  The accident is under investigation by Patrolman Darrell Nick.

Burglary Arrest– Over the past month, numerous Lacey residents reported that their vehicles had been entered and belongings stolen during overnight hours.  The ongoing investigation by detectives from Lacey and Stafford led to the identity of the suspect, Kevin J. Cunningham, 2^nd, of Port Monmouth, New Jersey.  On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, Lacey detectives located Cunningham, age 35, at a Barnegat Township residence and placed him under arrest.  A search of the suspect’s vehicle yielded stolen property linking Cunningham to burglaries in Lacey as well as Berkeley, Barnegat, and Stafford Townships.  Kevin Cunningham, 2^nd was charged with 14 counts of burglary in Lacey with additional charges expected from other jurisdictions.  Cunningham was also wanted on outstanding warrants from the Monmouth and Ocean County Superior Courts.  He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility without bail.

Fires – On April 26, 2019, Officer Julie Barcalow and Officer Michael Baldasari responded to the report of an appliance fire at an East Lacey Road, Forked River residence.   The homeowner was able to extinguish the fire that emerged from the back of the range. Forked River Fire Department assisted with fans to blow out the heavy smoke.

Dispute/DWI – On April 26, 2019, Officer Michael Baldasari and Officer Patrick Watkins responded to the report of a dispute at a Woodland Road, Forked River home. As officers were responding they were advised that one of the subjects drove from the home in a silver truck. Officer Baldasari observed the vehicle on Sommerell Avenue and conducted a motor vehicle stop. The driver, Eric Doeffinger, 42, was determined to be under the influence of alcohol after failing field sobriety tests and placed under arrest. He was charged with DWI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. His vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law.  Doeffinger also had a warrant issued by Toms River Municipal Court in the amount of $350.  He was released after satisfying the warrant.

Burglary-On April 26, 2019, Officer Michael Hutman responded to an Oak Street, Forked River residence in reference to a theft.  A local contractor reported that during the overnight hours, unknown suspect(s) entered the home, which is under construction, stealing tools from within.  The theft was estimated at $1,500.

Criminal Mischief– On April 26, 2019, Officer John Simonson responded to a Serpentine Drive, Forked River residence.  The homeowner reported that someone attempted to enter her locked vehicle during the overnight hours by prying the window.  Although minor damage occurred, entry to the vehicle was not made.

Vehicle Burglaries – On April 27, 2019, officers took three separate reports from residents stating that their vehicles were entered during overnight hours.  One Windsor Street, Forked River resident stated at 0320 hours his home surveillance system recorded a male subject pulling on the door handles of the vehicles parked in his driveway. One of his vehicles was entered and approximately $20 worth of loose change and bills was stolen.  Two additional victims in the same neighborhood reported cash and personal belongings stolen from their cars.

Fraud– On April 28, 2019, Officer Michael Hutman took a fraud report from a Forked River resident.  The victim reported that she received an email in reference to her home closing that she had to wire transfer the deposit into an escrow account.  The email outlined specific details to wire the deposit, $34,500, into a specific bank account.  Several days later, she found out that the firm’s email account was hacked and the email was fraudulent.  The money was wired into an account unrelated to the firm.  The detective bureau is investigating the matter.

Fraud– On April 28, 2019, Officer Nick met with a Forked River resident who reported a fraud.  The victim reported that on April 8, 2019, an unknown actor opened up a Cartier credit card in his name charging $8655.  The incident is under investigation.

CDS Arrest– On April 28, 2019, Officer Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop for speeding on Lacey Road near Wilbert Avenue.  During the stop, Officer Keefe discovered the odor of marijuana leading to the arrest of the driver.  Emanuel Kiprakis, 24, was arrested and charged with Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance and issued a motor vehicle summons for speeding.  He was released on his own recognizance pending a Court appearance.

DWI – On Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at 9:31 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the area of Route 9 and First Street for a driver possibly under the influence.  Officer Keefe subsequently made contact with the driver at a Bobwhite Court, Forked River residence.  During the course of the investigation, 36-year-old Melissa Eisenman was arrested.  Eisenman was later released after being charged with Driving While Under the Influence.