Police Blotter 1Weekly Police Blotter – Press Release

November 5th, 2014 thru November 10th, 2014

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  • Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Accident with Struck Pedestrian – On Sunday, November 9, 2014, at 1:38 a.m., Officer Scott Keefe responded to the parking lot of Caffrey’s Tavern located at 440 Route 9 South in Forked River for a hit and run motor vehicle accident involving a pedestrian. The preliminary investigation revealed that the hit and run vehicle was seen backing into and striking an unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot and then started to leave. A pedestrian in the parking lot witnessed the accident and attempted to stop the hit and run vehicle from leaving at which point the pedestrian was reportedly struck, suffering minor injuries. The driver of the hit and run vehicle did not stop to check on the pedestrian and instead fled. The vehicle is described as a black, 2000, Cadillac Eldorado with New York Registration GTS4740. The accident is presently under investigation. Anyone with any information on the vehicle and/or the driver is asked to contact Officer Scott Keefe at that Lacey Township Police Department at 609-693-6636 or submit an anonymous tip through the police department website at www.laceypd.org/crime-tips/.

  • Criminal Mischief (Residence) – On Monday, November 10, 2014, at 10:37 a.m., the owner of a home on the 800 block of Rogers Street in Lanoka Harbor reported criminal mischief. The complainant stated that between February 2014 and November 2014, an unknown person or persons spray-painted graffiti on the rear of her shed located in the backyard. The cost to cover the graffiti is estimated at $100.

  • Theft and Drug Possession – On Sunday, November 9, 2014, at 12:38 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to police headquarters for a theft report. The complainant reported that $100 was stolen from his wallet while at his residence and provided the name of a suspect. A short time later Officer Sarno responded to the 900 block of Meadowlark Drive in Lanoka Harbor and met with the resident, 19-year-old Jennifer Minniti. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of Jennifer Minniti for Possession of Heroin, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Hypodermic Needles, and for the Theft.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 10:51 p.m., Officer Robert Flynn conducted a traffic stop on Route 9 near Liberty Way in Lanoka Harbor. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of the driver, 47-year-old Nicholas Velardi of Longport Avenue in Bayville, NJ, on an outstanding Beachwood Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $240. He was transported to police headquarters and processed. Nicholas Velardi was released after posting bail. In addition, he was issued a traffic summons for driving while suspended.

  • Theft from a Residence – On Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 3:13 p.m., Officer John Cernek responded to police headquarters for a theft report. The victim stated that between November 2, 2014, and November 7, 2014, an unknown person or persons stole both her wedding and engagement rings with a total value of $7,200 from her residence on the 1200 block of Plover Court in Forked River. The incident is under investigation.

  • Criminal Mischief (Business) – On Saturday, November 8, 2014, at 9:57 a.m., Officer Daniel Ricciardella responded to Sleepy’s located at 348 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a criminal mischief report. The complainant reported that just prior to contacting this agency an unknown person or persons threw a rock at one of the store windows from the parking lot breaking the outer pane of glass. The damage is valued at $400.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Thursday, November 6, 2014, at 9:25 p.m., Officer Adam Ewart was patrolling the Laurel Boulevard beach area when he observed a suspicious vehicle. Investigation at the scene led to the arrest of 27-year-old Michael E. Pauciello of Laurel Boulevard in Lanoka Harbor on an outstanding Toms River Township Municipal Court warrant in the amount of $778. Michael E. Pauciello was transported to police headquarters, processed, and released after posting bail.

  • Theft from a Yard – On Thursday, November 6, 2014, at 1:31 p.m., Officer Anthony Sarno responded to the 500 block of Brentwood Road in Forked River for a theft report. The complainant reported that within the prior week an unknown person or persons entered her fenced-in backyard and stole her above ground pool air-flow pump valued at $400.

  • Hit and Run Motor Vehicle Accident and Warrant Arrest – On Sunday, November 2, 2014, at 2:03 p.m., Officer Michael Eden responded to Lakeside Drive East in Forked River for a report of a hit and run motor vehicle accident. The investigation revealed that 34-year-old John J. Platt from Woodlawn Drive in Forked River was traveling west on Lakeside Drive East when he lost control of the vehicle ultimately striking a telephone pole, a sign, and a tree. John Platt then fled the scene. However, he left behind the vehicle’s front bumper with the license plate still attached which was ultimately used to help identify him. During the investigation, an Ocean Township (Waretown) warrant in the amount of $1,000 was located for his arrest. A short time later, officers responded to the 400 block of Woodlawn Drive in an attempt to locate John Platt and serve the arrest warrant. Just prior to arrival John Platt fled the residence on foot. A search was conducted; however, John Platt was not located. During the investigation, it was determined that John Platt was in violation of a separate court order and a warrant in the amount of $2,500 was issued for his arrest from the Lacey Township Municipal Court. On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 11:21 p.m., John Platt was taken into custody at the Lacey Township Police Department on the above two warrants. In addition, he was issued traffic summonses for Driving while Suspended, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident, and Failure to Report a Motor Vehicle Accident. John Platt was lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility in lieu of bail.

  • Criminal Mischief (Auto) – On Wednesday, November 5, 2014, at 6:17 p.m., Officer Michael Eden responded to Orlando Circle in Forked River for a criminal mischief report. The complainant reported that just prior to contacting this agency, he was traveling eastbound on Beach Boulevard in the area of Palm Beach Drive when an unknown person threw a rock at the passenger side rear window of his vehicle shattering it. The cost to replace the window is estimated at $150. The area was checked for a suspect with negative results.

  • Warrant Arrest – On Wednesday, November 5, 2014 at 2:53 p.m., Lieutenant Christopher Kenny, along with Special Officers Stephen DeRosa and Michael Hutman responded to the 7-11 Store located on Route 9 in Forked River for a report related to the possible use of illegal drugs. During the investigation, officers observed 25-year-old Shannon Augustino of Lake Barnegat Drive in Forked River acting suspicious and attempting to leave the area. A no-bail warrant issued from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office was located. Shannon Augustino was arrested on the warrant and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.