Lacey Township Police Blotter: Sept. 20 - Oct. 7

LACEY, NJ - Released by Lacey Police and unedited by Patch, all of last week's arrests:

On Sept. 30 at 3:01 p.m., Officer Michael Baldasari responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9 N, to meet with asset protection regarding a theft of money from a cash register involving an employee. Officer Baldasari’s investigation revealed that a 19-year-old woman had stolen a total of $485.00 over the course of a few days. She was placed under arrest for the theft and released on a summons.

On Sept. 30 6:41 p.m., Officer Michael Hyle responded to Ralph’s Italian Ice for a theft report. The owner reported that someone had stolen money out of the tip jar. Investigation revealed the identity of the suspect as a 35-year-old woman. Officer Hyle and Officer Keefe located the woman who admitted to the theft. Marie Ortiz was issued a special complaint for theft of approximately $19.00.

On Oct. 1 at 5:28 p.m., Officers responded to a wooded area behind a Nautilus Boulevard residence for a report of a brush fire. Upon arrival, officers observed logs and brush smoldering. The Lanoka Harbor Fire Department responded to the scene and quickly extinguished the fire without any further damage.

On Oct. 2 at 12:36 p.m., Officer Joe Pandorf responded to a Gary Smith Way residence for a report of a burglary. Officer Pandorf met with the victim who reported numerous items of value stolen from the residence. It also appeared that forced entry was made into the residence. Detective Brian Flynn responded and is continuing the investigation.

On Oct. 2 at 11:40 p.m., Officers Michael Hyle and Scott Keefe responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Musket Road for a hit and run motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, contact was made with the victim who stated they were hit from behind by another vehicle, whose driver was later identified as Donna Powell. The two parties interacted for a brief period, but upon hearing that the police were going to be called, Powell left the scene.

The victim complained of an injury due to the crash and was treated for same. A later investigation revealed that the Ocean Township Police Department stopped Powell for DUI shortly thereafter and was currently at their police station. Donna Powell was charged by our agency with assault by auto, and also issued several traffic summonses, regarding the crash in Lacey Township while intoxicated.

On Oct. 3 at 9:27 a.m., Officers Michael Hein and Nyeem Calhoun responded to the area near the Dollar Tree in Lacey Mall for a report of a male that was yelling and screaming. Upon arrival, they met with a 28-year-old man who had been previously advised to stay off the property of the Lacey Mall. The man was issued a special complaint summons for Defiant Trespass and released.

On Oct. 4 at 02:24 a.m., Officer Dallas Gant responded to the area behind TJ Maxx in the Lacey Mall for a report of a male subject screaming. Upon arrival, Officer Gant made contact with Moses Sutton, 28, who was previously advised that he was banned from the area and was subsequently issued a special complaint summons for Defiant Trespassing and released.

On Oct. 5 at 5:58 p.m. multiple officers responded to the Mill Pond trestle bridge for a report of two males fighting. Upon arrival, officers observed numerous bystanders fleeing the rail trail on foot due to the violent behavior of Moses Sutton, 28, and Leonard Brown, 51. Officers made contact with Leonard and Moses and an investigation at the scene led to the following charges. Moses Sutton was charged with Littering, Possession of Alcohol in a Park, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly Conduct.

Leonard Brown was charged with Littering, Possession of Alcohol in a Park, Disorderly Conduct, and Obstruction. Sutton was transported and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility.

On Oct. 6 at 8:29 a.m. the Lacey Township Detective Bureau executed Search Warrants at a Hemlock Lane residence in Forked River. The search warrants were related to an investigation of a burglary and theft that occurred in Lanoka Harbor and was reported on Sept. 17, 2021. The theft involved copper and other metals valued in excess of $3,750.

At the scene, a suspect, identified as Bernard K. Kappen, 30, of Forked River was arrested and transported to headquarters for processing. Kappen was charged with Burglary, Theft, Criminal Trespass, and Receiving Stolen Property and lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility. Kappen’s vehicle, which he used to further facilitate his crimes, was seized.