Weekly Police Blotter

Theft – In early September 2022, Officer Walsh took a report from a Sunset Drive resident who wished to report a theft.  The victim advised Officer Walsh that on August 25, 2022, campaign signs of theirs had been stolen from the area of Newark Avenue and Calvin Street, as well as near the Heritage Apartment complex.  The signs were valued at less than $50.00 total.

Shoplifting – On Thursday, September 15, 2022, at 2:04 p.m., Officers Schaffer and Abrecht responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a female fail to ring up a number of items while at the self-checkout, then attempt to leave the store without paying for them. The stolen items were valued at $44.33.  Officers met with the suspect, Dawn Murphy, 52, of Bayville, and placed her under arrest.  Dana was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

Motor Vehicle Stop – On Friday, September 16, 2022, at 1:54 a.m., Officers Swain and Ravallo conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Route 9 and Parkers Point Boulevard for an equipment violation.  Officers met with the driver, Jenell Generally, 35, of Bayville, and learned that her driver’s license was suspended.  Jenell was also found to have outstanding warrants originating out of the Ocean Township and Ocean Gate Borough Municipal Courts.  Jenell was issued motor vehicle summonses for suspended driver, expired license, maintenance of lamps, and released on her own recognizance pending a future court appearances.

Shoplifting – On Friday, September 16, 2022, at 6:14 p.m., Officers Pandorf, D’Antonio, and Primavera responded to Walmart for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a female attempt to leave the store without paying for an item, valued at $8.00.  Officers met with the suspect, Stephanie Woodford, 41, of Seaside Heights, and placed her under arrest.  Stephanie was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

CDS Possession/Warrant Arrest – On Monday, September 19, 2022, at 7:59 a.m., Officer Nilon responded to Wawa, Lacey Road, to check the welfare of a male subject sleeping on the side of the store.  Upon his arrival, Officer Nilon made contact with Kenneth Novak, 33, of Forked River.  Kenneth was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Jackson Township Municipal Court, and was placed under arrest.  Prior to being transported to police headquarters, it was discovered that Kenneth was in possession heroin and prescription medication.  Kenneth transported to police headquarters and charged with Possession of CDS and Possession of a Prescription Legend Drug.  Kenneth was then transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he was lodged without incident.

Shoplifting – On Sunday, September 11, 2022, at 12:13 p.m., Officers Tamburro and Carver responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9, for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised officers that they had observed a female fail to ring up a number of items while at the self-checkout, then attempt to leave the store without paying for them. The stolen items were valued at $38.94.  Officers met with the suspect, Dana Pearse, 35, of Barnegat, and placed her under arrest.  Dana was transported to police headquarters, charged with Shoplifting, and released on a summons pending a future court appearance.

Criminal Mischief – On Monday, September 12, 2022, at 7:45 a.m., Officers Tamburro and Carver responded to a business on South Main Street for a report of criminal mischief.  Upon their arrival, an employee advised that someone had damaged the business’ fence sometime within the past week.  The value of the damage was estimated at $3,750.00.

Warrant Arrest – On Tuesday, September 13, 2022, at 5:11 p.m., Officer Hutman and Special Officer Lepeshko responded to Wawa, Route 9 South, for a report of a female harassing customers for money.  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with the female, Amy Haas, 48, of Bayville.  Amy was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the South Toms River Municipal Court.  Amy was arrested, transported to police headquarters, and later released on her own recognizance, pending a future court appearance.

Warrant Arrest – On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 11:48 p.m., Officers responded to the Lacey Inn to serve an arrest warrant on a guest that was staying at the motel.  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Michelle Moser, 39, of Toms River.  Michelle was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Toms River Municipal Court.  Michelle was arrested and transported to police headquarters, and later turned over to the Toms River Police Department, without incident.

Criminal Mischief – On Wednesday, September 14, 2022, at 4:14 a.m., Officer Hyle responded to a Laurel Boulevard residence for a report of criminal mischief.  Upon his arrival, Officer Hyle met with the complainant, who advised that someone had damaged their vehicle within the past 12 hours.  The value of the damage was estimated at $800.00.

Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest – On Friday, September 2, 2022, at 9:48 p.m., Officer Hyle conducted a motor vehicle stop near Route 9 and Haines Street for suspended driver.  Officer Hyle met with the driver, Virgil Dowtin, 36, of Jackson Township, and confirmed that his driver’s license was suspended.  Virgil was also found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Howell Township Municipal Court. Virgil was arrested and transported to police headquarters, and later released on his own recognizance after being served with a summons for driving while suspended.

Warrant Arrest – On Friday, September 2, 2022, at 11:53 p.m., Officers responded to the Lacey Inn to serve an arrest warrant on a guest that was staying at the motel.  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Stanley O’Donnell, 53, of Bayville.  Stanley was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Berkeley Township Municipal Court.  Stanley was arrested and transported to police headquarters, and later turned over to the Berkeley Township Police Department, without incident.

Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 12:15 a.m., Officers responded to the Lacey Inn to serve an arrest warrant on a guest that was staying at the motel.  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Paul Russo, 49, of Mount Arlington.  Paul was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Ocean County Superior Court.  Paul was arrested and transported to police headquarters, and later lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility, without incident.

DWI – On Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 5:55 p.m., Special Officer Lepeshko conducted a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road near Railroad Avenue for failure to observe a traffic signal.  Officer Keefe responded to assist.  Officers met with the driver, Christian Quinn, 23, of Forked River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Christian was driving while intoxicated.  Christian was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where he was processed.  Christian was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including DWI, and Reckless Driving.  Christian was served his copies of the summonses and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Warrant Arrest/Assist Other Agency – On Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 11:52 a.m., the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by the Ship Bottom Police Department who advised that a wanted person out of their jurisdiction was possibly staying at a residence in Lacey Township.  Officers responded to a Parkside Drive residence and made contact with William Harlfinger, 51, of Ship Bottom.   William was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Ship Bottom Municipal Court.  William was arrested and transported to police headquarters, and later turned over to the Ship Bottom Police Department, without incident.

Burglary / Theft from Motor Vehicle – On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 6:21 p.m., Officer Holt responded to a Clearwater Drive residence and met with a complainant who wished to report a burglary of their motor vehicle.  The complainant advised that they recently discovered that their Apple iPod was missing from their vehicle, but were unsure when the burglary and theft may have occurred.  The iPod was valued at $40.00.  No suspects have been identified at this time.

Motor Vehicle Crash / DWI – On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 8:30 p.m., multiple officers responded to Jones Road for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a pickup truck that collided with a parked car.  Upon his arrival, Officer Keefe met with the driver of the pickup truck, Mark Anthony, 59, of Beachwood.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Mark was driving while intoxicated.  Mark was placed under arrest.  Mark was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane.  Mark was served his copies of the summonses and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Burglary / Theft from Motor Vehicle – On Saturday, August 27, 2022, at 8:52 p.m., Officer Holt responded to the parking lot of Applebee’s and met with a complainant who wished to report a burglary of their motor vehicle.  The complainant advised that as they exited the restaurant following dinner, an unknown female was observed standing next to the open front passenger door of their vehicle, holding what appeared to be numerous items taken from within it.  The female left the area and walked towards a nearby motel.  The stolen property was valued at $213.00.  This investigation is ongoing.

Fire – On Sunday, August 28, 2022, at 7:34 a.m., Officer D’Antonio responded to a Buena Vista Road residence for a report of smoke coming from the front door.  The Forked River Fire Department and Ocean County Fire Marshal’s Office also responded to assist.  The small fire was determined to have originated in the kitchen, but had extinguished itself prior to everyone’s arrival.  The Fire Marshal deemed the fire accidental.  Members from the Forked River Fire Department assisted with ventilating the remaining smoke from the home.  The home suffered no structural damage, and was considered safe to return to.

Theft – On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 3:56 p.m., Officers Primavera and Plis responded to a Beach Boulevard residence and met with a complainant who wished to report a theft.  The complainant advised that sometime between 12:15 a.m. and 12:30 a.m., an unknown male suspect walked onto their property and stole a bicycle that had been leaning against the side of their home.  The bicycle was valued at $168.00.  The suspect has not been identified at this time.

Shoplifting/Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 5:11 p.m., Officer Ricciardella responded to the Home Depot, 244 North Main Street, Forked River, for a reported shoplifting.  The store employee advised Officer Ricciardella that they had observed an unknown male select numerous pieces of merchandise from within the business, place the items inside of a shopping cart, and attempt to leave the store without paying for them.  When he was confronted by the employee as he was nearing the exit, the suspect abandoned his shopping cart and fled into the parking lot.  The merchandise was valued in excess of $370.00.  Officers were able to identify the suspect as Brian Salters, 43, of Forked River.  A warrant was later issued for Brian.

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 2023 hours, Officer Pandorf located Brian at a Seabright Road residence, and placed him under arrest on the Lacey Township warrant.  Brian was transported to police headquarters where he was processed before being lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility, without incident.

Theft – On August 19, 2022, at 4:03 p.m., Officer Biel responded to a Laurel Boulevard residence and met with a complainant who wished to report a theft.  The complainant advised that sometime between August 16 and August 18, 2022, his wood chipper was stolen from the backyard of the residence.  The wood chipper was valued at approximately $200.00.  There are no suspects at this time.

Warrant Arrest/Assist Other Agency – On Friday, August 19, 2022, at 4:10 p.m., the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by the Stafford Township Police Department regarding a shoplifting incident that had just occurred in their jurisdiction, and requested that we check a residence in our town for the suspects and their vehicle.   Officers Pandorf and Gant, along with Special Officer Lepeshko, responded to a Harzold Road residence, and made contact with the two suspects, Michael Claudy, 36, and Rachael Wimmer, 31, both of Forked River.  Both Michael and Rachael were arrested on warrants issued out of Stafford Township and turned over to the Stafford Township Police Department without incident.

Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 12:03 a.m., Officers Walsh and Watkins responded to a Nautilus Boulevard residence for a report of a wanted person inside the home.  Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Joseph Hover, 35, of Forked River.  Joseph was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Burlington County Superior Court, as well as an additional Berkeley Township Municipal Court warrant.  Joseph was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility, where he was lodged without incident.

Theft – On Monday, August 22, 2022, at 11:44 a.m., Officer D’Antonio responded to Walmart for a report of a theft of customer’s bicycle.  Upon Officer D’Antonio’s arrival, the victim advised that his bicycle was stolen from the side of the business a short time earlier.  Officers reviewed video surveillance of the theft, but were unable to identify the suspect.  The victim’s bicycle was valued at approximately $50.