Person Stabbed, Drunken Delivery Driver Passes Out In Car: Berkeley Police Blotter

BERKELEY, NJ — A Bayville man was charged with aggravated assault after stabbing someone, a drunken Amazon delivery driver was passed out in his work vehicle and more over the months of June and July, according to Berkeley police.

The police blotter was released Thursday, outlining notable incidents officers responded to from June 1 through July 31.

Here is the blotter, courtesy of the Berkeley Township Police Department and unedited by Patch.

Arrest/Warrant – On June 5, 2025, Patrolman Michael Gallicchio responded to the area of 370 Rt. 9, Dollar General for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival the male was identified as Kevin Picone, 45, of Ocean Gate. Upon further investigation it was determined that Picone had shoplifted $10.66 worth of merchandise. It was also learned that Picone had an outstanding warrant from Hamilton Township for $550.00. Picone was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Shoplifting and the Warrant arrest. He was remanded to OCJ without incident.

Arrest/DWI - On June 5, 2025, Patrolman Josh Foca conducted a motor vehicle stop on a green Dodge Charger near the area of Rt. 9 for failing to maintain lane. Upon arrival the driver of the vehicle was identified as Edward Mellage, 59, of Forked River. An odor of alcoholic beverage was emanating from Mellage’s breath. Upon further investigation it was learned that Mellage was driving under the influence. Mellage was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Failure to Maintain Lane, Careless Driving and Refusal to Submit Breath Sample. Mellage’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s law. Mellage was released pending a future court date.

Arrest/DWI - On June 13, 2025, Patrolman Michael Gallicchio responded to the area of 431 Rt. 9 for a report of an intoxicated subject. Upon arrival, Nicholas Jakub, 29, of Bayville, was found to be operating his motor vehicle while intoxicated. Jakub was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane and Refusal to Submit Breath Sample. Jakub’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with Johns Law. Jakub was released pending a future court date.

MV Crash W/ Injuries - On June 17, 2025, Patrolman William Shoemaker responded to the area of Dover Rd./ Lacey Twp. Border for a report of a motorcycle into a tree. Upon arrival Lacey PD, Lacey EMS and Paramedics were all on scene. Upon further investigation it was learned that the driver overcorrected into a curve and went off the roadway and struck a tree. The driver was transported to JSMC for nonlife threatening injuries.

Fire - On June 27, 2025, Patrolman Chris Dedeyn, Patrolman Harold Hester, Patrolman Anthony Ceglie and Patrolman Evan Sicknick responded to the area of Barbuda St. for a report of smoke from the residence. Upon arrival Patrol observed the smoke condition which rapidly progressed to a working fire. No residents were in the home and no injuries were reported. Manitou, Bayville and Pinewald Fire Departments arrived on scene to extinguish the fire. Detective Jacob Camaraza, OC Sheriff’s Department and Berkeley Township Fire Official all arrived on scene to investigate. The residence was currently under renovation. The OC fire Marshal is investigating the cause.

Arrest/DWI - On June 30, 2025, Patrolman David Summerton responded to the area of 417 Route 9 for a disabled vehicle. Upon arrival the driver of the vehicle Katy Davidson, 40, of Bayville, explained that she had ran out of gas. Upon further investigation, Davidson was found to be under the influence. Davidson was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Refusal to Submit Breath Sample and Open Alcoholic Beverage in a Vehicle. Davidsons vehicle was impounded in accordance with Johns Law. Davidson was released pending a future court date.

Robbery/Arrest – On June 30, 2025, Patrolman Nicholas Pelino and Patrolman Mikki Baranyay responded to the area of Third Ave. in reference to a robbery. Upon arrival the victim claimed that her neighbor was upset with her for not returning an item back to him. The neighbor, who is identified as Kevin Parker, 65, of Bayville, entered the victim’s vehicle and stole her car keys while using force. Parker then retreated to his residence and grabbed a pool stick and threatened the victim with it. Detective Derek Mayer responded to the scene to investigate. Parker was arrested and charged with Robbery, Burglary and Terroristic threats. Parker was remanded to OCJ without incident.

Property Damage – On July 1, 2025, Patrolman Mikki Baranyay and Patrolman Nicholas Pelino responded to the area of Troumaka St. for a report of property damage. Upon arrival at a residence, Manitou Fire was on scene and reported structural damage to the interior ceiling of the home from a rainstorm. The power was shut down to the residence due to the structural conditions. The Berkeley Township Code Official deemed the residence unsafe, and the homeowner was given assistance with finding shelter.

Arrest/Possession of CDS – On July 2, 2025, Patrolman Mikki Baranyay and Patrolman Robert Murawski responded to the area of Quick Chek for a report of a male slumped over the wheel of his motor vehicle. Upon arrival the male identified as Scott Semchenko, 54, of Cranberry, displayed signs of impairment. Upon further investigation, Semchenko was found to be under the influence of CDS. Further investigation resulted in the discovery of CDS and drug paraphernalia. Semchenko was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Possession of CDS, Possession of Prescription Drugs, Possession of Paraphernalia and Reckless Driving. Semchenko’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with Johns Law. Semchenko was released pending a future court date.

Arrest/DWI – On July 4, 2025, Patrolman Steven Scaturro and Patrolman Anthony Tuminaro responded to the area of Chain Blvd. for a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival the driver claimed to have bumped into the back of another vehicle. No injuries were reported. Upon further investigation it was learned that Travis Marr, 25, of Bayville, was driving under the influence. Marr was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Careless Driving and Reckless Driving. Marr’s vehicle was impounded in accordance with John’s Law. Marr was released pending a future court date.

Arrest/Aggravated Assault – On July 10, 2025, Lt. Tim Pizzella, Sgt. Michael Connell, Patrolman Ryan Wahl, Patrolman Mikki Baranyay and Patrolman Anthony Tuminaro responded to the area of Bayview Dr. for a report of a disturbance. Upon arrival it was learned that the victim was stabbed with a knife and was badly bleeding. First Aid arrived on scene and the victim was transported via Medivac to JSMC. CSI, Detective Shane Leighton and Detective Michael Riccardelli arrived on scene to investigate. Upon further investigation John Mnich, 27, of Bayville, was arrested and charged with 2nd Degree Aggravated Assault and Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose. Mnich was subsequently transported to OCJ. This incident is currently open and under active investigation.

Arrest/DWI – On July 18, 2025, Patrolman Harold Hester responded to the area of 544 Forest Hills Parkway for a report of an intoxicated male asleep in his work vehicle. Upon arrival it was learned that a manager from Amazon advised that one of his employees was passed out in his work vehicle. Patrol observed a male in the running work vehicle asleep with an odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from the vehicle. Upon further investigation it was learned that the driver of the work truck had hit a mailbox while making a delivery near the area of Columbus Circle. The driver of the vehicle was identified as Luis Varela-Delarosa, 28, of Red Bank. Delarosa was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving and Refusal to Submit. Delarosa was released pending a future court date.

ATV Impound – On July 20, 2025, Patrolman Michael Sasso was in the area of Fishers Pit where he conducted a motor vehicle stop on an ATV. The driver of the ATV was identified as Marvin Munozcano, 41, of Beachwood. Munozcano was operating an unregistered and uninsured ATV. Munozcano’s ATV was impounded, and he was issued a summons for an unregistered vehicle.

Arrest/Warrant – On July 30, 2025, Patrolman Robert Murawski responded to the area of 299 Rt.9 for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival Jeffery Stearn, 33, of Beachwood, was found to have multiple warrants out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and Seaside Heights for Failure to appear. Stearn was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was processed on the warrants. Stearn was subsequently transported to OCJ without incident.