Police Blotter ImageWeekly Police Blotter – Press Release

May 20th, 2014 thru May 26th, 2014

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  • DUI (Arrest) – On Monday, May 26, 2014, at 1:42 a.m., Officer Dimitri Tsarnas conducted a traffic stop in the parking lot of Wawa, located at 444 Route 9 South in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as a 17-year-old female juvenile from Forked River for DUI. The driver was transported to police headquarters and processed. She was released to a family member after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, and a Provisional Driver’s License Violation. The driver was also charged on a juvenile complaint with Underage Consumption of Alcohol. The vehicle that the 17-year-old was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law. In addition to this arrest, a passenger, identified as 20-year-old Nicholas Green of Beach Boulevard in Forked River was charged with Underage Consumption of Alcohol. He was issued a complaint summons at the scene and released.

  • Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Sunday, May 25, 2014, at 9:49 p.m., Special Officer Jesse Urban observed a suspicious male on Brookdale Park Drive in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 32-year-old Scott Naia, of Clairemore Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for Possession of Heroin. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Scott Naia was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Heroin and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle.

  • Theft (Arrest) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 5:15 p.m. , Special Officer Jesse Urban responded to Walmart, located at 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a theft (non-shoplifting). Upon arrival, Special Officer Urban spoke with the complainant who stated that just prior to contacting this agency, he was in Walmart with his granddaughter when his granddaughter’s wristlet containing cash and gift-cards valued at approximately $50 was stolen from the shopping cart. The investigation identified the accused as 56-year-old Carlos Rodriguez of Maple Street in Waretown, NJ. Carlos Rodriquez later responded to police headquarters where he was charged with one count of theft. He was released after receiving a criminal summons. The wallet was returned to the complainant.

  • Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 2:54 p.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the 500 block of Tappan Street in Forked River for a residential burglary. The complainant reported that between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on May 24, 2014, an unknown person or persons entered the residence and stole property valued at $1100. There were no signs of forced entry. The Lacey Township Police Detective Bureau is investigating.

  • Aggravated Assault (Arrest) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 12:39 a.m., Officers Peter Donahue, Adam Ewart, and John McKee responded to the 700 block of Weehawkin Avenue in Forked River in response to a call for assistance. While investigating the matter, 28-year-old Justin Donaldson of Weehawkin Avenue in Forked River struck Officer Donahue on the side of his head with a Makita power saw. Justin Donaldson was immediately arrested by Officers Ewart and McKee. Justin Donaldson was charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. Bail was set at $25,000 with no ten percent option. Officer Donahue was transported to Community Medical Center and treated for the head injury which included a concussion. In the absence of a State or County correctional facility willing to assume custody of Justin Donaldson, the Lacey Township Police Department was required to staff a police officer around the clock at the Community Medical Center maintaining custody of Justin Donaldson for three days until he was transferred to a state facility on the afternoon on Monday, May 26, 2014.

  • DUI and Drug Possession (Arrests) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 1:51 a.m., Officer George Resetar conducted a traffic stop on Old Shore Road in Forked River during a DUI Checkpoint. Special Officer Jesse Urban assisted. Investigation at the scene resulted in several arrests. The driver, identified as 23-year-old David A. Bettinger of Sonora Road in Iselin, NJ, was arrested for DUI. He was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. David A. Bettinger was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, CDS in a Motor Vehicle, and Open Container. A passenger, identified as 18-year-old Ashlie M. Torri of Ellsworth Street in Iselin, NJ, was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Ashlie Torri was released after receiving criminal summonses for Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Underage Consumption of Alcohol. In addition, she received traffic summonses for Riding on Parts not Intended, and for having an Open Container in a Motor Vehicle. Two additional passengers, identified as 20-year-old James L. Galipean of Macarther Drive in Edison, NJ, and 19-year-old Rocco R. Brienza of Pearl Street in Woodbridge, NJ, were each issued a Special Form of Complaint and Summons for Underage Consumption of Alcohol and traffic summonses for having an Open Container of Alcohol in a Motor vehicle, and for Riding on Parts not Intended. This incident is still under investigation and additional complaints are pending.

  • Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 1:45 a.m., during the course of a DUI checkpoint located on Old Shore Road in Forked River, Officer Keith Pearce arrested 19-year-old Alexander Chmielewski of Cable Road in Waretown, NJ, for Possession of Marijuana. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Alexander Chmielewski was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Marijuana. In addition, he received a traffic summons for CDS in a Motor Vehicle.

  • Warrant (Arrest) – On Saturday, May 24, 2014, at 12:24 a.m., during the course of a motor vehicle stop at a DUI Checkpoint on Old Shore Road in Forked River, Officer Michael Verwey arrested 29 year-old David M. Cano of Lighthouse Drive in Waretown, NJ, on four (4) outstanding warrants. Warrant number (1) was issued by the Trenton Municipal Court in the amount of $500 and warrant number two (2) was issued by the Trenton Municipal Court in the amount of $250. Warrant number three (3) was issued by the Bordentown Municipal Court in the amount of $83, and warrant number four (4) was issued by the Hamilton Municipal Court (Mercer County) in the amount of $81. David M. Cano was transported to police headquarters and processed. He was released ROR on all warrants. In addition, David M. Cano was issued a complaint summons for Hindering Apprehension related to the stop.

  • Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Friday, May 23, 2014, at 11:50 p.m., Officer Noah Schaffer conducted a traffic stop on Old Shore Road in Forked River. The stop occurred during a DUI Checkpoint. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 25-year-old Ryan J. Tatham of Lakeside Drive South in Forked River, for Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Hypodermic Needles. In addition, the passenger, identified as 20-year-old Kevin J. Kennedy of Clinton Avenue South in Trenton, NJ was arrested for Possession of Heroin, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Possession of Hypodermic Needles. They were both transported to Police Headquarters and processed. Both were released after receiving criminal summonses charging them with the above offenses.  In addition, each received a traffic summons for CDS in a Motor Vehicle.

  • DUI and Warrant (Arrest) – On Friday, May 23, 2014, at 11:12 p.m., Officer Keith Pearce conducted a traffic stop on Old Shore Road in Forked River. The stop occurred during a DUI Checkpoint. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 33-year-old Germain Chavez of Beach Boulevard in Forked River for DUI. In addition, he was found to have two (2) outstanding warrants for his arrest. Warrant number one (1) was issued out of the Lacey Township Municipal Court in the amount of $250. The second warrant was a no-bail NCIC warrant issued by the Atlantic County Sheriff’s Department. Germain Chavez was transported to Police Headquarters and processed. He received traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Driving while Suspended. Germain Chavez was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of both warrants. In addition, federal agents from the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who participated in the DUI Checkpoint, placed a detainer on him for immigration concerns.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Friday, May 23, 2014, at 4:48 p.m., Officers Darrell Nick and Anthony Sarno responded to Wawa, located at 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of an intoxicated male in a vehicle. Upon arrival the vehicle was located. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 22-year-old Joseph E. Chiorazzi of Tulsa Drive in Barnegat, NJ for DUI. In addition, he was found to be in possession of Heroin and a hypodermic needle. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Joseph Chiorazzi was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Possession of CDS in a Motor Vehicle. In addition, he received a criminal summons for Possession of Heroin and Possession of a Hypodermic Needle.

  • Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Friday, May 23, 2014, at 1:20 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the 400 block of Penn Avenue North in Forked River for a residential burglary. The complainant reported that between May 19, 2014, and May 23, 2014, an unknown person or persons entered her residence and stole property valued at approximately $5,000. There were no signs of forced entry. Lacey Police Detective Brian Flynn and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit responded to the scene. The incident is currently under investigation.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Friday, May 23, 2014, at 12:50 a.m., Officer Adam Ewart conducted a traffic stop on Lakeside Drive South in Forked River. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 47-year-old Cynthia L. Crepezzi of Hillwood Road in Forked River for DUI. She was transported to police headquarters and processed. Cynthia L. Crepezzi was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Refusal to Submit to Breath Tests, Reckless Driving, Speeding, and Failure to Maintain Lane. The vehicle Cynthia Crepezzi was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • DUI and Drug Possession (Arrests) – On Thursday, May 22, 2014, at 5:49 p.m., Sergeant Paul Sullivan, Jr., and Officer Jeffrey Slota were dispatched to the parking lot of CVS, located at 700 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of two subjects slumped over in a motor vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, identified as 62-year-old Cheryl Della-Pietro of Seabright Road in Forked River, for DUI. The passenger, identified as 34-year-old Michelle Della-Pietro, was arrested for Possession of CDS and Tampering with Evidence. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters and processed. Michelle Della-Pietro was charged with Possession of CDS (Oxycodone) and tampering with Evidence. She was released on a criminal summons. Cheryl Della-Pietro was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI. The vehicle Cheryl Della-Pietro was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • DUI (Arrest) – On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at 11:43 p.m., Officers Michael Verwey and Noah Schaffer responded to the parking lot of Wawa, located at 701 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, for a report of two intoxicated subjects walking in the parking lot. The caller added that they had just exited from a motor vehicle. A description was provided. Upon arrival, Officer Verwey observed the vehicle driving in the parking lot and conducted a traffic stop. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver identified as 55-year-old Michael A. Araneo of Hazelton Avenue in Lanoka Harbor for DUI. In addition, the passenger, identified as 21-year-old Michael A. Araneo 2nd, was arrested for Possession of CDS. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters and processed. The driver, Michael A. Araneo, was released after receiving traffic summonses for DUI, Reckless Driving, and Maintenance of Lamps. 21-year-old Michael A. Araneo 2nd, was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of CDS (Alprazolam). The vehicle Michael Araneo was operating was impounded pursuant to John’s Law.

  • Burglary and Theft (Business) – On Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at 7:19 a.m., Officer Michael Hein responded to the 400 block of Route 9 South in Forked River for a theft. The victim reported that between 7:00 p.m. on May 20, 2014, and 7:00 a.m. on May 21, 2014, an unknown person or persons entered his business garage and stole a Red Max trimmer valued at $400. There were no signs of forced entry.

  • Burglary and Theft (Residence) – On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at 4:26 p.m., Officer John D. Simonson responded to the 1700 block of Fleetwood Drive in Forked River for a residential burglary. The complainant reported that between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, an unknown person or persons forced entry into the residence. Once inside, the person or persons stole property valued at $25,000. Lacey Police Detective Brian Flynn and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Criminalistics Investigation Unit, along with their K-9 Unit responded to the scene. The incident is currently under investigation.

  • Shoplifting, Warrant, and Drug Possession (Arrest) – On Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at 3:50 p.m., Officers Dimitri Tsarnas and Noah Schaffer responded to Kohl’s, located at 304 Route 9 North in Forked River for a male shoplifter in custody. In addition, an adult female was seen with the accused inside the store. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 20-year-old Joshua Aponte of Galloway Road in Galloway Township, NJ for shoplifting merchandise valued at $296. In addition, a warrant was active from the Port Republic Municipal Court in the amount of $130. The adult female, who was with Joshua Aponte, was no longer in the store. A short time later, Officer Noah Schaffer located the female, identified as 22-year-old Allison Gifford of Nautilus Boulevard in Forked River, sitting inside a parked vehicle in the parking lot. Allison Gifford was arrested for Possession of Heroin and Possession of Hypodermic Needles. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters and processed. Joshua Aponte was charged with Shoplifting with bail set at $500. He was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail. Allison Gifford was released after receiving a criminal summons for Possession of Heroin and Possession of a Hypodermic needle.