$16,500 Stolen From Bank Account: Manalapan PD Blotter

MANALAPAN, NJ — Released by Manalapan police and unedited by Patch, all crimes and arrests from Dec. 1 to 7.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 7:28 p.m., a 20-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported being harassed and threatened by an unknown actor on social media.

The harassment and threats have been occurring since October of 2021. Patrolman Ryan Brady handled the report, which is pending further investigation.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 5:00 p.m., a 61-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported that unknown actor(s) had forged the victim's signature on a check and withdrew $12,250 from the victim's bank account. Patrolman Sean McCarthy took the report, which is pending further investigation.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 4:00 p.m., a 51-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported two license plates stolen from a vehicle. It is unknown exactly when the theft took place. Patrolman Sean McCarthy handled the report.

On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 11:30 a.m., Melad Daniel, a 50-year-old, married, male resident of East Brunswick, New Jersey, who is employed as a bus driver, turned himself in at Manalapan Township Police Headquarters regarding a warrant that was issued for his arrest by the Manalapan Township Municipal Court in the amount of $500.00. Mr. Daniel wasprocessed and released after posting bail. Patrolman Kyle Williams handled the arrest.
On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a 51-year-old Belford resident reported that unknown actors had vandalized the siding at a business located at 335 Route 9 in Manalapan. The cost of the repair is unknown at this time. Patrolman Bart Mattaliano took the report.

On Monday, December 6, 2021, at approximately 6:26 p.m., a 54-year-old Manalapan Township resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported that an unknown actor claiming to be a JCP&L representative advised the victim that their power would be shut off if they did not provide the access number to a pre-paid card in the amount of $491. Patrolman James Guarino took the report.

On Monday, December 6, 2021, at approximately 10:08 a.m., employees of the PNC Bank, located at 50 Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that an 88-year-old Freehold resident was involved in a potential scam where an unknown actor(s) attempted to deprive the victim of $4,500 claiming to be the friend of a relative. The Manalapan Police Department would like to remind all residents to verify all information before attempting to transfer money to unknown actor(s). Patrolman Kyle Williams handled the report.

On Monday, December 6, 2021, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Robert Garcia, a 38-year-old, unmarried, male resident of Boulder, Colorado, who is employed as a cook, turned himself in at Manalapan Township Police Headquarters regarding two warrants that were issued for his arrest by the Manalapan Township Municipal Court totaling $1,689. Mr. Garcia was processed and released after posting bail. Patrolman Kyle Williams handled the arrest.

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, at approximately 7:58 p.m., Guillermo Martinez- Nicolas, a 37-year-old, male resident of Annapolis, Maryland (marital status unknown), who is employed as a restaurant worker, was found to be in possession of a controlled and dangerous substance after being involved in a motor vehicle crash on Route 9 northbound in the area of Taylor Mills Road. Mr. Martinez-Nicolas, was arrested and transported to Centra-State Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries sustained as a result of the crash. Patrolman Christopher Makwinski was the arresting officer. This incident is pending further investigation.

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, at approximately 6:19 p.m., Patrolman James Guarino conducted a traffic stop on Route 33 westbound for motor vehicle violations. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Demetrius Murray, a 38-year-old, unmarried, male resident of Bronx New York, who is employed as a delivery driver, was found to have a warrant issued for his arrest by the Bayonne
Township Municipal Court in the amount of $100. Mr. Murray was placed under arrest and transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where he was processed and released pending a future court date. Patrolman James Guarino was the arresting officer.

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, at approximately 10:15 a.m., a 43-year-old resident of Manalapan reported that an unknown actor had stolen a Chromebook valued at $150 approximately 3 weeks ago from outside of a St. Andrew's Place residence. Patrolman Bart Mattaliano handled the report.

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, at approximately 1:07 a.m., a 30-year-old resident of Old Bridge reported that an unknown actor had stolen the victim's wallet while at the Local's Bar, located at 300 Gordon's Corner Road in Manalapan. The wallet and its contents were valued at $40. Patrolman Brian Cruse handled the report.

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, at approximately 10:03 p.m., Vincent P. Punzone, a 25-year-old, male resident of Manalapan Township (marital status unknown), who is employed as a plumber, was placed under arrest at the Middlesex County Correctional Facility regarding a warrant that was issued for his arrest by the Manalapan Township Municipal Court in the amount of $1,500.00. Mr. Punzone was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution pending a future court date. Patrolman Jeremy Slad was the arresting officer.

On Saturday December 4, 2021, at approximately 12:33 p.m., a 61-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported that that they were involved in a business exchange with an unidentified actor using a false name. The actor sent the complainant a check as part of the transaction, which was later discovered to be fraudulent. No monetary loss was incurred as a result of this incident. Patrolman James Guarino handled thereport.

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, at approximately 2:39 p.m., a 51-year-old Colts Neck resident reported that unknown actor(s) removed catalytic converters from two vehicles parked on a Woodward Road property. Patrolman Kevin Ruditsky handled the report, which is pending further investigation.

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, at approximately 2:21 p.m., a 57-year-old Manalapan resident, responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported fraudulent activity on their bank account. Unknown actor(s) utilized the victim's personal information to withdrawal funds from their bank account totaling $16,500. Patrolman Joseph DeFilippis handled the report, which is pending further investigation.

On Thursday, December 2, 2021, at approximately 12:00 p.m., a 61-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported fraudulent credit card activity. An unknown actor attempted to purchase an iPhone 13 from the Apple Store in Freehold, NJ for $1,704.93. The transaction was canceled and no monetary loss was reported as a result of this incident. Patrolman Kyle Earley handled the report.

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 3:44 pm, a 56-year-old Manalapan resident reported that a golf ball had struck a Hedgerow Lane residence, breaking a window. Patrolman Everett McNulty handled the report.

On Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at 1:44 p.m. a 68-year-old Manalapan resident responded to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters and reported that and unknown actor had obtained multiple credit cards in the victim's name. All the accounts were closed prior to being activated and no monetary loss was reported as a result of this incident. Patrolman Ross Dessel took the report.