01 - Neighborhood Crime Alert

Robbery (Arrests) – During the early morning hours of Wednesday, August 13, 2014, Officer Adam Ewart and Officer Charles May of the Lacey Township Police Department responded to a call of a disturbance at 112 East Lacey Road in Forked River. Several neighbors contacted the police department and reported hearing a vehicle horn being blown repeatedly at the residence. Officer Ewart arrived and made contact with a 43-year-old, adult male from Bayville who reported that he had been robbed. The victim had visible signs of injury to his face. The victim advised officers that he arrived at the residence to give a ride to an acquaintance after being called by the acquaintance. The victim stated that when he arrived at the home and began to speak with the acquaintance, he was assaulted from behind by an unknown man who stole $120 cash, his wallet, and his car keys. The home is unoccupied and is currently under foreclosure.

As the investigation continued throughout the day, Lacey Detective Brian Flynn arrested 18-year-old Michael Guarini of 322 Briggs Avenue in Forked River and 19-year-old Alexandros Tsarnas of 108 Laurel Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor and charged them both with second-degree robbery. It appeared that the two conspired to lure the victim to the home with the intention of stealing his money. Bail was set for both individuals at $25,000. Michael Guarini posted bail after being processed and was released pending a court appearance. Alexandros Tsarnas was transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in default of the bail. Second-degree robbery is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 10 years.