$50K Fraud Investigation, House Fire: Berkeley Police Blotter

BERKELEY, NJ — A resident lost $50,000 in a fraud scheme, a house being renovated burned down and more in January and February, according to the Berkeley Township Police Department.

Police released their monthly blotter, outlining the incidents officers responded to over the past two months.

Here's the blotter for January and February, courtesy of Berkeley police and unedited by Patch.

MVA – On January 4, 2025, Officer Nicholas Pelino and Patrolman Steven Scaturro responded to the area of Portsmouth Dr. for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival it was learned that the driver of a 2020 Toyota Corolla accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake which caused her to run through her garage door. Upon impact the gas meter was also hit and damaged causing a large gas leak. NJNG and JCP&L arrived on scene to shut down the gas and power. No injuries were reported. Portsmouth Drive was shut down temporarily and neighbors were evacuated. The Berkeley Township Building Inspector arrived on scene and deemed the residence uninhabitable.

DWI (Arrest) – On January 4, 2025, Officer Nicholas Pelino responded to the area of Liberta Dr for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Upon arrival, a white SUV was seen with a male slumped over the wheel. Patrolman Steven Scaturro and Sgt. Taylor Butler arrived on scene to assist. Upon further investigation Christopher Smith Jr., 41, of Waretown, was found to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Smith was transported to CMC for medical evaluation. Smith was later arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving and Reckless Driving. Smith’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Smith was released pending a future court date.

Shoplifting (Arrest) – On January 5, 2025, Patrolman Michael Bulwinski responded to 431 Rt.9/Shoprite for a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival a male had been caught with a shopping cart full of items totaling $552.00. The male was identified as Randy Rizzolo, 63, of Bayville. Rizzolo was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Shoplifting. Rizzolo was released pending a future court date.

Shoplifting (Arrest) – On January 17, 2025, Patrolman Harold Hester responded to the area of 431 Rt.9/Shoprite for a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival it was learned that a male identified as Matthew Jerabeck, 35, of Bayville, had shoplifted on 4 separate occasions. Video footage was obtained. Jerabeck had stolen $682.05 over the course of 4 incidents. Jerabeck was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Shoplifting. Jerabeck was released pending a future court date.

DWI (Arrest) – On January 27, 2025, Patrolman Robert Murawski, Patrolman Shane Leighton, Patrolman Ryan Drivanos and Sgt. Shawn Bowens responded to the area of Mill Creek Rd. for a report of a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival a black 2020 Dodge Ram was seen with visible front-end damage and damage down the entirety of the passenger side. Vehicle 2 was a 2018 Ford Escape with visible front-end damage. Berkeley Township EMT’s arrived on scene to assist. Upon further investigation it was learned that the driver of the Ford Escape had failed to stop at the stop sign. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Kenneth Sachs, 65, of Morris Plains. Sachs was found to be driving while intoxicated. Sachs was transported to CMC for further medical treatment. Sacks was charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving and Failure to Stop or Yield. The driver of the Dodge Ram refused treatment on scene but later went to CMC as a result of his injuries. Sachs was released pending a future court date. Sach’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law.

Fire – On February 9, 2025, Patrolman Patrick Davis, Sgt. Michael Coletti, Patrolman Jakob Miller and Patrolman Jared Peters responded to the area of Santo Domingo Dr. for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival the residence was fully engulfed in flames. The residence was vacant at the time of the fire. The surrounding residents on Pulaski and La Dunette Dr. were evacuated as a precaution. Manitou, Pinewald and Bayville Fire Departments arrived on scene to extinguish the blaze. Detective Derek Mayer, the Ocean County Fire Marshall, Berkeley Township Building Inspector, NJNG, and JCP&L all arrived on scene. The residence was deemed uninhabitable. Upon further investigation it was learned that renovations were being done to the home. The Ocean County Fire Marshall will be continuing the investigation.

Criminal Trespass/Poss of CDS (Arrest)– On February 14, 2025, Patrolman Michael Zilavetz was flagged down by a homeowner near the area of Park Ave. The homeowner claimed a male had entered her home without her permission. Patrolman Anthony Ceglie and Sgt. Sean Varady arrived on scene to assist. The male was seen walking in the parking lot of 340 Rt.9. The male was identified as Michael Rausa, 36, of Bayville. Rausa was highly intoxicated and uncooperative. Video footage was obtained. Rausa was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Criminal Trespass and Possession of CDS. Rausa was remanded to OCJ.

Aggravated Assault (Arrest) – On February 15, 2025, Patrolman Anthony Ceglie and Patrolman Kyle Huhn responded to the area of 340 Rt.9 for a report of an assault. Upon arrival it was learned that a male identified as Miles Banks, 37, of Toms River, was asked to exit a bus due to not being able to pay. Banks became irate, exited the bus and began to throw rocks at the bus driver. Video footage was obtained. Banks was arrested and transferred to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Aggravated Assault and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Banks was remanded to OCJ.

DWI (Arrest) – On February 16, 2025, Patrolman Drew Fanara responded to the area of Paradise Blvd. for a report of a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival it was learned that a red 2002 Cadillac had crashed into an unoccupied parked vehicle. Visible front-end damage was seen on the vehicle. The driver was identified as Diane Marino, 61, of Berkeley Township. Marino was found to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Marino was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving and Reckless Driving. Marino’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Marino was released pending a future court date.

Warrant (Arrest) – On February 24, 2025, Patrolman Shane Leighton responded to Monmouth County Corrections for an inmate that had an active warrant out of Berkeley Township for $2500.00. Upon arrival Brian Whatton, 56, of Ventnor was arrested and transported to OCJ without incident.

Fraud – On February 28, 2025, Patrolman James Tillett responded to the lobby of the BTPD for a report of fraud. Upon arrival it was learned that the victim had been defrauded $50,000.00 from her bank account. The victim contacted her bank and started an investigation with their fraud department. Upon further investigation it was learned that the victim had received an email with a “Digital Invitation” from a fraudster posing as a friend of the victim. The victim clicked on the link which then asked for her email password which she provided. A few days later the victims bank notified her about suspicious activity on her account. The bank is currently handling the investigation.