Crime & Safety
Forked River Woman Charged With Assaulting Police Officer: Chief
Officer Julie Barcalow was trying to break up a fight after a traffic accident when the assault occurred, police chief says

LACEY TOWNSHIP, NJ – Police have charged a Forked River woman with aggravated assault on a police officer when the officer tried to break up a fight after a motor vehicle accident, Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.
Bille J. O'Kane, 50, Tampa Road, was charged after the May 13 accident which involved two vehicles at the intersection of Route 9 and Beach Boulevard. The parties involved in the accident became verbally abusive to each other, the chief said.
Officers Michael Verwey and Julie Barcalow responded to the intersection of Route 9/Beach Boulevard on a report of a motor vehicle accident involving two vehicles.
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When Officer Barcalow tried to intervene to calm them down, she was grabbed by her arm and shoved to the side. The incident was observed by Verwey, who arrested O'Kane, the chief said.
O'Kane was taken to police headquarters and later released on a criminal summons, DiBella said.
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Photo: Courtesy of Shutterstock
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