Man Who Burglarized Cars, Tried To Cash Stolen Check Flees Lacey Police, Jumps Into Mill Pond

A 29-year-old Forked River man burglarized two cars and tried to cash a stolen check at the TD Bank recently before he fled police and jumped into Mill Creek, Police Chief Michael C. DiBella said.

Armin F. Godier burglarized two vehicles parked at F & F Auto Body on Taylor Lane, stole a checkbook from one of them and a driver's license from the other before he tried to cash a check at the TD Bank on Route 9 in Forked River, the chief said.

Officers responded to the bank at 1:40 p.m. on Oct. 20 on a report of a man trying to cash a stolen check. Bank employees told police the man had fled on foot and gave them a description. Godier was later spotted walking on Caldwell Avenue in Forked River, he said.

Officer Martin Julian stopped Godier, who provided a false name before running away. Officers pursued the suspect through several yards before he jumped into the Mill Pond, swam across to the other side and entered a patch of woods, DiBella said.

Officers set up a perimeter and a short time later Detective Adam Ewart and Officer Frederick Anderson took Godier into custody.

He was taken to police headquarters, where he was charged with burglary, theft, uttering, resisting arrest by flight and hindering apprehension. Godier was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River in lieu of $35,000 bail, DiBella said.

Image: Patch file photo.