Car Crashes Into Apartment, Online Scam Reported: Berkeley Police Blotter

BERKELEY, NJ — A driver mistook her accelerator for her brake and crashed into an apartment building, a woman was scammed out of $2,000 in an online gift card fraud scheme and more over the course of September and October, according to the Berkeley Township police blotter.

The blotter outlines a variety of incidents that Berkeley police officers responded to, from Sept. 1 through Oct. 31.

Here's the latest blotter, courtesy of Berkeley police and unedited by Patch.

Burglary (Arrest) –On September 1, 2025, Patrolman Nick Bondulich and Patrolman Patrick Davis responded to the area of Holly Lane for a report of a burglary. Upon arrival the residents explained that they saw someone on their back deck with a light. Shoe prints were discovered, and multiple items were found to be stolen from the residence. Detective Derek Mayer arrived on scene to assist with the investigation. Several of the stolen items had a phone location feature on them. Patrol responded to the GPS location and found Shareek Massey, 27, of Bayville, with several of the reported stolen items. Massey was under the influence and asked for medical treatment. Massey was transported to CMC to be evaluated. Upon further investigation, Massey was charged with Burglary and Theft by Unlawful Taking. Massey was remanded to OCJ without incident.

DWI (Arrest) – On September 7, 2025, Patrolman Michael Bulwinski responded to the area of 431 Rt.9 for a report of a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival it was learned that a 2024 Jeep had rear-ended the vehicle in front of it. No injuries were reported. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the driver of the Jeep was driving while intoxicated. Anna Donato, 44, of Toms River was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving and Careless Driving. Donato’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Donato was released pending a future court date.

Fire – On September 9, 2025, Patrolman responded to the area of St. Thomas Drive for a report of smoke coming from the garage. No injuries were reported, and all residents were out of the home. Manitou Fire arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The OC Fire Marshall, Building Official and Detective Michael Tier arrived on scene to investigate. The cause of the fire was deemed non-suspicious and appeared to be started by a lit cigarette.

Forgery – On September 18, 2025, the Cure RX Pharmacy alerted the Berkeley Township Detective Bureau of a fraudulent prescription that was called into their pharmacy. The Berkeley Township Detective Bureau along with Patrol worked with the pharmacy to coordinate when the fraudulent prescription was going to be picked up. The actors, who were identified as Joel Villalona, 26, of the Bronx and Diamond Moore, 21, of Long Island NY, were charged with Forgery, Impersonation, Obtaining Prescription Legend Drug by Fraud and Obtaining Prescription Drugs through Forgery or Deception. Villalone was remanded to OCJ and Moore was released pending a future court date.

DWI (Arrest) – On September 25, 2025, Patrolman Anthony Ceglie conducted a motor vehicle stop near the area of Rt.9 on a gray Jeep Liberty which was driving aggressively. Upon arrival the Jeep was failing to stay in its lane. It veered across the median as it nearly struck another vehicle. Upon further investigation it was learned that the driver of the vehicle who is identified as Jolie Decker, 25, of Bayville, was driving under the influence. Decker was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated. Decker’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Decker was released pending a future court date.

DWI (Arrest) – On September 27, 2025, Patrolman Josh Foca conducted a motor vehicle stop on a grey Honda sedan near the area of 645 Rt.9. An odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Shavon Hinton, 32, of Philadelphia. Hinton was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Open Container in Vehicle, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving and Failure to Stop or Yield. Hinton’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Hinton was released pending a future court date.

MVA – On September 29, 2025, Patrolman William Shoemaker responded to the area of Berkeley Gardens for a report of a red 2015 Subaru Outback that crashed into the apartment building. The driver of the vehicle advised she was moving the car and thought she hit the brakes but instead hit the accelerator. An occupant of the apartment was in bed when the vehicle struck the wall of the building. The driver then exited the vehicle and left the scene without notifying police. First Aid arrived on scene and transported the occupant of the apartment for further medical evaluation. Bayville Fire Department and the Berkeley Township Building Inspector responded to the scene. The Red Cross arrived on scene to assist with temporary housing. It was determined that the building was structurally sound, but power was turned off to the apartment that was hit due to the damage it sustained. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Marion Blue, 65, of Brick. Blue was issued summonses for Careless Driving, Driving While Suspended, Unregistered Vehicle and Failure to Report.

DWI (Arrest) – On October 8, 2025, Patrolman Jakob Miller, Patrolman Manor Puerto and Patrolman Thomas Micklos responded to the area of Le Lamentin Drive for a report of a vehicle stopped at the intersection for a long duration of time. Upon arrival, a black Jeep Wrangler was parked in the middle of the roadway facing the wrong direction. Upon further investigation the driver who was identified as Charles Bocchino was found to be under the influence of alcoholic beverages. Bocchino was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving, Reckless Driving and Failure to Maintain Lane. Bocchino’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Bocchino was released pending a future court date.

Fire – On October 12, 2025, Officer Luke Dellaperute and Patrolman Drew Fanara responded to the area of Troumaka St. in reference to a vehicle fire. Upon arrival a motor vehicle was observed on fire along with the residence partially on fire. Residents in the neighboring areas were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. Manitou Park Fire Department and Pinewald Fire arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. JCP&L, NJNG, Fire Marshall and Detective DJ Williams responded to the scene to continue the investigation. The residence was deemed uninhabitable.

Vehicle Fire – On October 15, 2025, Patrolman Zilavetz, Sgt. Robert Flanegan, Sgt. Jerry Bacon and Sgt. Clark Baranyay responded to the area of Dover Rd. Upon arrival, a fully engulfed vehicle was located on the shoulder of the road. The driver was able to exit the vehicle uninjured. The driver of the vehicle explained that he had recently been having electrical issues with his 2018 Honda Accord. The driver stated his dashboard lit up multiple warnings, so he pulled over and got out of the vehicle as it engulfed into flames. Detective Derek Mayer, Berkeley Township EMS, Manitou Park Fire and Pinewald Fire responded to the scene and extinguished the fire. The fire appeared to be a result of mechanical issues.

Fire – On October 18, 2025, Patrolman Michael Drybola responded to the area of York Ct. for a fire call. Upon arrival it was learned that the resident was smoking in his bed when his mattress caught fire. Berkeley EMT’s and Manitou Park Fire arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The victim refused medical treatment. Detective Derek Mayer and the Fire Marshall arrived on scene to investigate. The fire was confirmed to have been started by a cigarette.

Fraud – On October 27, 2025, Patrolman Evan Burton responded to the lobby of BTPD for a report of fraud. Upon arrival the victim claimed she opened an email from “Norton Anti-Virus” advising her to renew her service. The victim, who does use Norton, believed it was time for her renewal. They told her the cost of the renewal to which the victim responded was too much money. “Norton” advised her they deposited $2000 in her Chase account and had the victim purchase approximately $2000 worth of gift cards from CVS all while staying on the phone with the victim. Chase notified the victim that this was a scam and the victim hung up with the “Norton” scammers. Chase is handling the investigation and will look into any monies that may be owed back to the victim. Berkeley Township Police remind the community to be aware of scammers and to never give out any account numbers or personal information. If you think you have been scammed, please contact us at (732)341-6600.

DWI – On October 31, 2025, Patrolman J. Foca conducted a motor vehicle stop near the area of Pelican Dr. and Rt. 9 on a white Mazda that was failing to maintain their lane. Further investigation revealed that that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence. The driver identified as AnnMarie Miano, 55, of Ocean Gate, was also found to be in possession suspected cocaine. Miano was arrested and transported to police headquarters where she was processed and charged with Driving while intoxicated, DWI refusal, possession of paraphernalia, and possession of CDS. Miano was released on a summons and within the provisions of John’s Law.