Weekly Police Blotter

Fraud- On Friday, July 8, 2022, 2:39 p.m., Officer Nilon responded to police headquarters for a report of credit card fraud. The victim reported on June 1, 2022, someone purchased a yearly computer program subscription using his credit card.  The value of the unauthorized purchase was $106.61.

Theft- On Friday, July 8, 2022, at 8:45 p.m., Officer Gant responded to police headquarters for a report of a theft.  The victim reported their unsecured bicycle was stolen from the bike rack at the Lacey Township High School during the evening of July 8, 2022.  The value of the bicycle was estimated at $100.00.

DWI- On Saturday, July 9, 2022, at 8:48 p.m., Officer Keefe responded to Wawa, 800 Lacey Road, for a report of a vehicle parked in front of the store, occupied by a male driver who was nodding out. Upon arrival, Officer Keefe observed the running vehicle and made contact with the driver, Matthew R. Leroy, 49, of Sussex Place, Forked River.  Following an investigation at the scene, Matthew was placed under arrest and was transported to headquarters.  At the conclusion of processing, Matthew was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI and Reckless Driving then released in accordance to John’s Law.

Fraud- On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at 3:10 p.m., Officer Hutman responded to police headquarters for a report of a fraud. Officer Hutman met with the victim who reported on June 15, 2022, and June 16, 2022, an unknown actor(s) had operated an unknown vehicle bearing his expired New Jersey Temporary Registration.  The victim reported he learned this after receiving toll violations in the mail, which indicated his temporary registration was attached to vehicle while traveling through toll plazas in North Jersey. The victim stated the temporary plates had been turned into the dealership on June 11, 2022.

DWI- On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 1:14 p.m., Officer Lee was flagged down by a subject who informed him of a possible intoxicated driver in the parking lot of 7-Eleven, 403 Route 9 North. Officer Lee made contact with the driver of the vehicle, William Culver, 65, of Normandie Driver, Forked River, who exhibited signs of impairment.  At the conclusion of the investigation, William was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing.  William was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving and improper parking.  William was released in accordance to John’s Law.

Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, July 3, 2022, at 1:17 p.m., officers responded to the intersection of Windsor Street and Arlington Avenue, Forked River, for a report of a male subject with long hair that was dancing and talking to himself.  Upon their arrival, officers observed a male subject matching the description given, whom they identified as Brenden Evans (35) of Devon Street, Forked River.  It was discovered that Brenden had an active warrant issued out of the Ocean County Superior Court.  Brenden was placed under arrest and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he was lodged.

DWI – On Monday, July 4, 2022 at 6:24 p.m., Lieutenant Sullivan conducted a motor vehicle stop on Route 9 near Game Farm Road, Forked River, for careless driving and failure to maintain lane.  Officers Lee and Hyle responded to assist, and met with the driver, Carolyn Landes (61) of Toms River.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Carolyn was driving while intoxicated.  Carolyn was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters, where she was processed.  Carolyn was issued several motor vehicle summonses, including DWI, Refusal to Submit Breath Samples, and Reckless Driving.  Carolyn was served her copies of the summonses and released in accordance with John’s Law.

Brush Fire – On Monday, July 4, 2022, at 6:57 p.m., several officers responded to the Clune Park access road for a report of a brush fire. Upon arrival, officers observed an area consisting of low brush actively burning on both sides of the road.  The Forked River Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire.  The origin of the fire is unknown at this time.

Possession of Toxic Chemicals – On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 2:57 p.m., Officers D’Antonio and Lee responded to the parking lot of Applebee’s for a report of a male inhaling chemicals while seated in a vehicle.  Officer Lee arrived and made contact with Walter Paseler, Jr. (53) of Waretown, who was observed to be sleeping in the driver’s seat of his vehicle.  Officer Lee approached Walter and woke him up, and while doing so, observed a can of instant dust remover in the vehicle.  Following his investigation, Officer Lee placed William under arrest and transported him to police headquarters for processing.  Walter was released after being charged with Inhaling a Toxic Chemical for the Purpose of Intoxication and Possession of a Toxic Chemical for the Purpose of Intoxication.

Shoplifting – On Wednesday, July 6, 2022, at 2:36 p.m., Officers Lee and D’Antonio responded to Home Depot for a shoplifting incident.  Upon their arrival, officers met with one of the store’s asset protection employees.  The employee reported that they had observed two unknown male subjects place numerous outdoor power tools on a cart which were valued in excess of $1,000.00.  The employee stopped one of the suspects as he was attempting to leave the store without paying for the merchandise, at which time the suspect abandoned the items and left.  The suspects have not been identified.

Warrant Arrest- On Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 7:06 a.m., Officer Ricciardella was flagged down by a concerned citizen regarding a suspicious person. The citizen advised Officer Ricciardella a male with no shirt was acting strange and yelling at traffic in the area of Lacey Road and Lake Barnegat Drive.  Officer Ricciardella later located David Bell, 28, of 314 Harzold Road, in the area.  David was later found to have an outstanding “no bail” warrant originating out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. David was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility without further incident.

Motor Vehicle Burglary/Theft- On Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 8:10 a.m., Officer Abrecht responded to the 500 block of Daytona Road for a report of a motor vehicle burglary and theft. Upon arrival Officer Abrecht met with the victim who reported their surveillance camera captured an unknown vehicle park in front of their residence.  The video shows two unknown actors approach their vehicles and enter them.  The victim reported multiple items were stolen from their vehicles.  The estimated value in stolen property was $2,300.00.

Theft- On Saturday, June 25, 2022, at 11: 24 a.m., Officer Lee responded to police headquarters for a theft report. Upon arrival Officer Lee met with the complainant who reported during the overnight hours an unknown person(s) stole a rescue boat from the Wibit, located at Lake Barnegat.   The value of the rescue boat was estimated at $1200.00.

Criminal Mischief- On Sunday, June 26, 2022, at 9:11 p.m., while closing Gille Park, SLEO II Lepeshko discovered graffiti in the men’s and women’s bathroom near the tennis courts.  The damage was estimated at $50.00.

Criminal Mischief- On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 10:39 p.m., while closing Gille Park, Officer Pandorf discovered paint on the floor of the men’s bathroom near the tennis courts.  The damage was estimated at $50.00.

Fraud- On Friday, June 17, 2022, at 10:21 a.m., Officer Slota responded to police headquarters for a fraud report. Officer Slota met with the victim who stated they befriended a man several years ago, while on a social media website. The victim stated the suspect identified himself a member of the military, stationed in Afghanistan.  The victim stated over a period of time, they sent approximately $100,000.00 to the unknown subject.  The victim stated they sent the money using pre-paid cards and bitcoin.  It was not until recently that the victim realize it was a scam.

Shoplifting- On Friday, June 17, 2022, at 5:15 p.m., Officer Hyle responded to Walmart for a report of a shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival officers met with the associate manager who advised officers that Michael Mennicucci, 36, of Bayville, NJ, attempted to steal $30.86 worth of merchandise from the store.  Michael was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters, where he was processed.  Michael was charged with shoplifting and was later transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility without incident.

Shoplifting- On Sunday, June 19, 2022, at 9:15 a.m., Officer D’Antonio responded to Walmart for a report of a shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival officers met with a loss prevention employee, who reported they observed Rachel Taino, 44, of Bayville, NJ, attempt to steal $458.44 worth of merchandise from the store.  Rachel was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters for processing. Rachel was charged with shoplifting on complaint summons and released.

Criminal Mischief- On Monday, June, 20, 2022, at 9:09 a.m., Officer Hutman responded to the Education Academy for damage to a shed. It was reported to Officer Hutman that sometime between June 17, 2022 and June 20, 2022, unknown person(s) damaged a shed located on the property.  The damage to the shed was estimated at $500.00.

Criminal Mischief- On Monday, June 20, 2022, at 8:31 p.m., while SLEO II Lepeshko was closing the bathrooms at Gille Park, near the lacrosse fields, he observed damage to a stall door in the women’s bathroom. The damage was estimated at $100.00.

DWI- On Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 10:28 p.m., Officer Emmett conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of the Bay Habour Motor Lodge, for failure to maintain lane.  Officer Emmett met with the driver, Lisa Bader, 55, of Trenton, NJ.  Investigation at the scene revealed that Lisa was driving while intoxicated. Lisa was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters, where she was processed. Lisa was issued several motor vehicle summonses including DWI and Reckless Driving. Lisa was served her copies of the traffic summonses and released in accordance to John’s Law.

Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest- On Sunday, June 12, 2022, at 12:47 p.m., Sergeant Nick conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of 639 Lacey Rd. The driver, Scott Peters, 21, of New Egypt, NJ, was found to have a suspended driver’s license and an active $550.00 warrant out of North Hanover.  Scott was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.  Scott was issued traffic summonses for Unsafe Lane Change and Driving While Suspended then released on his own recognizance.

Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest- On Monday, June 13, 2022, at 11:30 p.m., Officer Keefe conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Route 9 South and Lakeside Drive South for maintenance of lamps.  After speaking with the driver, Emily Samborski, 28, Barnegat, NJ, Officer Keefe discovered that the driver was operating the vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.  It was also discovered the passenger, James Tyger, 34, of Barnegat, NJ, had an active warrant out of Mount Laurel Township for $1,500.00.  James was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing.  James was later released under his own recognizance.  Emily was issued summonses for Maintenance of Lamps and Driving While Suspended.

Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest- On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 7:24 a.m., Officer Carver conducted a motor vehicle stop near the intersection of Haines Street and Hardwood Drive for speeding in the school zone.  The driver, Mary Lou Kennedy, 55, Toms River, NJ, was operating the vehicle with a suspended license and had an outstanding warrant for $750.00 out of Port Republic. Mary was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she posted bail.  Mary Lou was issued a motor vehicle summons for Driving While Suspended and was released.

Criminal Mischief- On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 10:25 p.m., while checking Gille Park, Officer Keefe discovered several areas with graffiti in the in area of the bathrooms, nearest the lacrosse fields.  Work orders were completed to have the graffiti removed. The estimated total damage is approximately $100.00.