Weekly Police Blotter

Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release

December 3^rd thru December 9^th, 2013

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• Harassment & Disorderly Conduct (Formal Charges) – On Saturday, December 7, 2013, 30-year-old Joseph A. Potenzone of 414 Drew Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, NJ, was charged with two counts of Disorderly Conduct and one count of Harassment in reference to two separate incidents that involved female victims. The first incident occurred on September 14, 2013, when 30-year-old Joseph Potenzone was reported to have been riding his bicycle and followed a 13-year-old juvenile female (who was also riding a bicycle) in the area of Ash Road Park in Lanoka Harbor. Joseph Potenzone reportedly followed the juvenile female almost a mile until she was able to separate from him at the Wawa Store on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor. While he was following her he was allegedly making flirtatious comments and bumped her rear bicycle tire. The juvenile female contacted family members who responded to intervene.  They were able to take a photograph of him which later led to his positive identification. For this incident, Joseph Potenzone was charged with Disorderly Conduct and Harassment. The second incident took place on December 4, 2013, at approximately 2:30 p.m. at the Ash Road Park in Lanoka Harbor. An adult female reported that while she was at the park with her 2 year-old child, she was approached by Joseph Potenzone who was riding a bicycle. The female reported that Joseph Potenzone said inappropriate things to her and was trying to ask her out. The female reported that when she tried to leave, Joseph Potenzone followed her to her car and blocked her from closing the car door.  She was eventually able to shut the car door and pull away. Joseph Potenzone was charged by the Lacey Township Police Department with Disorderly Conduct. 

• Fraud – On Tuesday, December 3, 2014, Officer Keith Pearce responded to 7-11 located at 524 Lacey Road in reference to a fraud.A store employee reported that at approximately 2:00 a.m. she received a phone call from a male subject claiming to be from corporate 7-11.  The subject told her that corporate was having an issue with the green dot prepaid debit card reader.  The employee reported that the subject convinced her to put $500 on a card and scan it through the cash register.  The employee reported that the subject then convinced her to scratch off the pin number and read that to him so he could verify the transaction.  The employee reported that the subject told her that the transaction did not go through and asked her to try it again with a different card.  The subject hung up and called back several times convincing the clerk to scan approximately 26 different cards, putting $500 on each prepaid card, totaling $13,000 in attempted frauds. The manager, Mahesh Chaidhari, called corporate and was told that the store was scammed. The phone number the subject called from was 866-362-9035 and is not in service. Over $7,000 in actual transactions successfully went through during the fraud.

• Burglary Investigation & Heroin Possession (Arrests) – On the morning of Tuesday, December 3, 2013, Lacey Township Police Department detectives executed a search warrant at 308 Sunrise Boulevard, Forked River, concluding a three week investigation. The warrant was sought to recover stolen property from a residential burglary that occurred at 304 Sunrise Boulevard on Wednesday, November 13, 2013. During the residential burglary committed on November 13, 2013, the actors stole items valued in excess of $3,000 and caused extensive damage to the heating and cooling system by cutting copper piping. Additionally, the electric meter was stolen from the exterior of the residence.

• During the warrant execution, detectives located numerous items stolen during the burglary in addition to 48 bags of heroin, drug paraphernalia, and hypodermic syringes. Also, the electric meter supplying the power connection to 308 Sunrise Boulevard, Forked River, was determined to be stolen from another residence and illegally installed on the 308 Sunrise Boulevard home.

  The following four adults were arrested and processed for the corresponding offenses:

  Jacqueline Armenia (50)
  308 Sunrise Boulevard
  Forked River, NJ
  Possession of Stolen Property
  Theft of Services

  Luis Rivera (41)
  227 Hamilton Avenue
  Seaside Heights, NJ
  Possession of Stolen Property
  Possession of Heroin
  Intent to Distribute Heroin

  Johnny Irizarry (33)
  308 Sunrise Boulevard
  Forked River, NJ
  Burglary
  Theft of Property
  Possession of Heroin
  Theft of Services

  Michael Nealy (29)
  308 Sunrise Boulevard
  Forked River, NJ
  Possession of a Hypodermic Syringe

  Michael Nealy and Jacqueline Armenia were charged and released on their own recognizance pending a court appearance. Luis Rivera and Johnny Irizarry were both lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility after bail was set at $50,000 each.

  Lacey Detectives were assisted by the Ocean County Criminalistics Unit (CIU) and a K-9 team from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at 9:56 a.m., 27-year-old Steven Henriques of 464 West Lake Drive in Brick was arrested at police headquarters on two outstanding warrants; a $600 Lacey Township municipal court warrant for driving while suspended and a $350 Toms River Township court warrant for driving while suspended. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail in default of bail.

• Criminal Mischief – On Tuesday, December 03, 2013 at 9:25 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to 1536 Dee Road in Forked River in reference to criminal mischief to a mailbox.  Cheri Sievers reported that her mailbox appeared to have been “blown up” by fireworks sometime between 9:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. on December 3, 2103.  A witness reported that just prior to the mailbox exploding, a white box truck with two male occupants was scene in the area.  The truck had what appeared to be a painted over business logo (possibly PC Richards) on it.  A check of the area provided negative results.  The value of the mailbox is $150. 

• Suspicious Incident – On Tuesday, December 03, 2013 at 9:50 p.m. Officer Scott Keefe responded to 1218 Ocean Street in reference to a suspicious incident. The resident reported that a road flare was placed in his mailbox earlier in the day. The road flare was apparently lit at the time it was placed in the mailbox, but no damage was observed to the mailbox. No suspects could be identified.

• Theft – On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 11:02 a.m. Officer Daniel Ricciardella responded to 2194 Hollywood Drive in Forked River in reference to a theft. Rachelle Marsh reported that someone stole a central air conditioning unit compressor from the side of her residence between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 02, 2013 and 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 04, 2013. The air conditioning unit was destroyed, leaving the unit case with exposed wires and fluid leaking. The value of the air conditioning unit is estimated at $2,500.

• Criminal Mischief – On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 3:45 p.m. Ptl. Ricciardella responded to 1809 Lakeside Drive South in Forked River in reference to criminal mischief. Frank Pezzuti reported that between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, 2013, someone cut six window screens and damaged one window sash in the rear of his residence. The windows and the doors were locked and no signs of entry into the residence were observed. The damage is estimated at $500.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at 9:03 p.m., Officers responded to 113 Seabright Road in Forked River in an attempt to serve a $3,500 Berkeley Township warrant on 30-year-old Dorian S. Knorr who resides at that address. Dorian Knorr was located at the residence and arrested. Dorian Knorr was transported to Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Thursday, December 5, 2013 at 6:19 p.m., Officer Evan Androcy was patrolling the end of Laurel Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor and observed a vehicle stopped across from a residence. The vehicle was running with its brake lights activated.  An inquiry of the vehicle registration indicated that the registered owner, 31-year-old Christopher Foster of 105 Clairmore Avenue in Lanoka Harbor, had an active $2,500 warrant out of Toms River Township Court for assault. Officer Androcy stopped the vehicle and arrested Christopher Foster on the outstanding warrant. The passenger, 23-year-old Cassandra Greeley of 2 Eagles Nest Drive in Vernon, NJ, was allowed to take temporary possession of the 1999 Nissan Maxima at Christopher Foster’s request.  Christopher Foster was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed. He was then transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of bail.

• Shoplifting – On Thursday December 5, 2103 at 7:18 p.m., Officer Andrew Slota responded to Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of shoplifting. The Asset Protection Employee reported that a white male, approximately in his early-to-mid-twenties in age, had placed an HP-500-123W computer in his shopping cart and proceeded to exit the store without paying for it. The suspect was followed and observed getting into a green Dodge Durango bearing NJ Registration Z91-BNS. The suspect then fled the area. Surveillance photographs of the suspect were provided and submitted into evidence. The vehicle is registered to 28-year-old Haley Johnson of 1196 Dell Street in Toms River. Toms River Police Department was notified and assisted in the investigation. The computer is valued at $498. Charges are pending the identity of the suspect.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 10:25 a.m., Officer Jeffrey Slota conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of Rella’s Italian Grill located at 443 Route 9 South in Forked River. The driver, Tyrone Kuziw, was stopped for an improper right turn on red at the intersection of Route 9 and Beach Boulevard in Forked River.  Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Tyrone Kuziw on an outstanding warrant for an assault out of Sanford, Maine from 1995. The jurisdiction in Maine indicated they would be responding to extradite the suspect. Officer Slota transported Tyrone Kuziw (aka, Michael Onest) to the Ocean County Correctional Facility where he will await extradition to Maine.

• Burglary & Theft (Residence) – On Thursday, December 5, 2013, at 10:41 a.m., Officer Scott Anderson responded to the 200 block of Route 9 North in Forked River in reference to a residential burglary. The owner of the property reported that upon checking the residence on this date she noticed water coming out from beneath the doors on the south side of the residence. Upon checking inside the residence, it was discovered that someone had forced their way into the residence and cut the copper pipes and fittings from the residence causing water to spray out which resulted in the flooding of the residence.  The burglary and theft are believed to have occurred between Friday, November 22, 2103, and Thursday, December 5, 2013. It was determined that suspects entered the residence through the exterior crawl space entrance.  A plumber estimated the copper theft and repair to be $5,000. The free-standing garage at the rear of the residence had also been burglarized as well. The suspect(s) appeared to have attempted to gain entry by prying the side door of the garage but were unsuccessful. It appears that access was gained through the prying of a garage window. Damage as a result of the forced entries to the residence and garage is estimated at $2,000. 

• Theft – On Friday, December 6, 2013 at 10:05 a.m., Anthony Aiello, owner of Tony’s Landscaping, reported that a steel elbow from a commercial tailgate leaf vacuum was stolen. The theft occurred between 10:00 a.m. on November 27, 2013 and 10:00 a.m. on November 28, 2013, from the driveway of a Birch Lane residence in Forked River. The steel elbow is valued at $293.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Friday, December 06, 2013, at 9:31 a.m., Special Officer Travis Horton conducted a motor vehicle stop of 30-year-old Ryan Wickes of 103 Bonita Road in Waretown for driving with a suspended driver’s license and an active warrant. Ryan Wickes was arrested on the $500 Tuckerton Borough traffic warrant which was for a separate driving while suspended offense. Ryan Wickes was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was released on his own recognizance as per the Tuckerton Borough Court Clerk. Ryan Wickes was issued a summons for driving while suspended in Lacey Township.

• Fire – On December 6, 2013 at 2:18 a.m., officers responded to a Holland Avenue residence in Forked River for a report of a shed fire. Upon arrival, the metal shed and wooden stockade fence were on fire in the backyard of the residence. The Forked River Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze. A member of the Forked River Fire Department, Robert Anderson, sustained a burn to his face while he was helping to extinguish the fire. The Lacey Township First Aid Squad responded and transported Robert Anderson to Community Medical Center for further treatment. Ocean County Fire Marshal William Hopson responded to the scene and determined that the fire originated in the shed and was not suspicious in nature.

• Warrant (Arrest) – On Friday, December 6, 2013, at 11:11 p.m., Officer Evan Androcy and Special Officer Travis Horton responded to the area of Briar Road and Walnut Drive in Lanoka Harbor for a report of an intoxicated male stumbling in the roadway.  Upon arrival, officers located 51-year-old Joseph Marrocco of 354 Yorktown Drive in Lanoka Harbor standing on the shoulder of the roadway. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Joseph Marrocco on several outstanding warrants: $750 Lacey Township Municipal Court Warrant for a township ordinance; $939 South Toms River Borough Warrant for driving while suspended; $2,040 Brick Township Court warrant for driving while suspended; $250 Beachwood Borough Warrant for unlicensed driver; $250 Atlantic City warrant for a local ordinance violation; and a $15,009 Ocean County Sheriff’s Warrant for non-payment of Child Support. Joseph Marrocco was transported to Lacey Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and then transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of his bail.

• Underage Consumption of Alcohol (Formal Charge) – On Saturday, December 7, 2103, at 5:08 p.m., officers responded to the wooded area between Shop-Rite and Kohl’s in reference to a 14-year-old male found lying on the ground incoherent. Upon arrival, officers found the juvenile semi-conscious and covered in vomit. The Lacey Township First Aid Squad and paramedics responded and transported the juvenile to Community Medical Center for treatment. The guardian of the juvenile was notified. The 14-year-old resident of Lanoka Harbor was charged with under age consumption of alcohol on a Juvenile Complaint. The matter is under continuing investigation.

• Criminal Mischief – On Sunday, December 8, 2013, at 10:10 a.m., incidents of criminal mischief were reported. A resident of Hastings Court reported that between 11:00 p.m. on December 7, 2013, and 9:00 a.m. on December 8, 2013, someone damaged her Christmas decorations. The damage is estimated at $50. A resident of Brookdale Drive reported that during the overnight hours of December 7, 2013 into December 8, 2013 someone kicked over a decorative concrete deer that was in the front yard of the residence. The concrete deer sustained damage valued at $600. Between 1:00 a.m. and 9:00 am on December 8, 2013, someone damaged the Holiday decorations and Christmas lights that were placed outside of the Pheasant Run Clubhouse located on Canterbury Drive in Forked River. The damage was estimated at $5. On Sunday, December 8, 2013, at 6:53 a.m., a resident of York Drive in Forked River reported that between 12:00 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. on December 8, 2013, someone knocked her mailbox off of the mailbox post. The damage to the mailbox and post is estimated at $125.

• Criminal Mischief – On Monday, December 9, 2103 at 11:48 a.m. Officer Peter Donahue responded to Ostrowski Dental in reference to criminal mischief. The owner reported that between December 6, 2013 and December 9, 2013, a small glass marble was used to break the window pane of the front entrance door to the dental office.  The damage is estimated at $300.