String Of Car Break-Ins Reported In Lacey: Police Blotter

LACEY, NJ — A Forked River man was charged following a string of car break-ins during March, according to the latest Lacey Township police blotter.

The monthly blotter outlines notable incidents that occur each month.

Here is the blotter for March, courtesy of the Lacey Township Police Department and unedited by Patch.

Nature: DWI
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, at approximately 0754 hours, Officer Tranz responded to Wawa, 800 Lacey Road, for a report of a dispute by the air pumps. Upon arrival, contact was made with Amariah Keith, Browns Mills, age 23, who displayed signs of impairment due to alcohol and was subsequently arrested for DWI. Amariah was released after being charged with DWI and Reckless Driving.

Nature: DWI
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, at approximately 08:30 hours, while investigating a separate matter at Wawa, 800 Lacey Road, Marissa Valdez, Browns Mills, age 21, was found to be displaying signs of impairment due to alcohol. Marissa was subsequently arrested for DWI and later released after being charged with DWI and Reckless Driving.

Nature: Vehicle Fire
On March 4, 2025, at 16:32 hours, Officer Triano, Forked River Fire Department, and Waretown Fire Department responded to 548 Wells Mills Road for a report of a vehicle fire. Upon arrival, Officer Triano observed a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 fully involved. The owner stated that the vehicle had not moved in months and began to smoke after the engine was started. The fire was extinguished, and Ocean County Fire Marshals were called to the scene. The fire was deemed not suspicious, and the vehicle was released to the owner

Nature: Shoplifting
On Wednesday, March 5th, 2025, at 11:56 hours, Officers Schaffer and Zacco responded to Walmart for a report of a male shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival, the officers met with Asset Protection employees, who indicated that Paul Carnellie, age 61, of Bayville, had concealed $303.65 worth of merchandise while using the self-checkout. Officer Zacco placed Paul under arrest, transported him to headquarters and charged him with a violation of 2C:20-11B(1), Shoplifting on a complaint summons. Once served, Paul was released without incident.

Nature: Suspended Driver
On Thursday, March 6th, 2025, at 10:10 hours, Officers Schaffer, Carver, and Brown responded to an address on Nantucket Road, Forked River to make contact with James Smith, age 36. James was stopped by Officer Schaffer on March 5th, and it was later determined that he was driving on a suspended driver's license during a period of suspension for a second DWI. As a result, James was placed under arrest, transported to Headquarters, and charged on a complaint summons and released.

Incident: Shoplifting
On Thursday, March 6th, 2025, at 13:38 hours, Officers Zacco and Primavera responded to Walmart for a report of a male shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival, they met with Asset Protection employees, who indicated that Thomas Belotti, 35, of Whiting, had concealed $105.11 of merchandise and attempted to leave the store. Thomas was placed under arrest, transported to Headquarters, and charged with Shoplifting on a complaint warrant. Thomas was transported to Ocean County Jail without incident.

Nature: Theft
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 09:54 hours, Officer Nilon responded to Caffrey's for a theft report. Contact was made with the owner who stated that a male subject stole two empty kegs from the outside storage area on the north side of the building on March 4, 2025, at approximately 08:30 hours. The male was described as having a medium build and appeared to be in his late twenties. He was observed leaving in a gray older model Mazda 2 with no inspection sticker and no front plate. The front passenger quarter panel was also noted as being a darker shade of gray. Surveillance from Caffrey's as well as Wawa was obtained and the investigation is ongoing.

Detective Dalziel later received information that the silver Mazda, used in the theft of kegs from Caffreys, on March 4th, was parked at the Stop and Shop in Toms River. Toms River Police Department responded and identified the suspect as Jarrett Foster, age 36, of Forked River. Officer Ravallo responded to Stop and Shop, took custody of Jarrett, and transported him to headquarters, where Detective Dalziel charged Jarrett with violations of 2C:18-2A(1) Burglary and 2C:20-3A, Theft. Jarrett was transported to Ocean County Jail without incident.

Nature: Burglary
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 13:01 hours, Officer Triano responded to a residence on Bay Way for a report of a car burglary. Upon arrival, Officer Traino discovered that an unlocked 2007 Pontiac Vibe, parked on Clairmore Avenue near the intersection of Thorn Street during the overnight hours, had been entered. The caller explained that a bag of change and a small knife were taken.

Nature: Burglary
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 16:52 hours, Officer Tamburro responded to police headquarters regarding a report of a car burglary on Lawrence Drive. The victim indicated that her unlocked Hyundai Elantra was entered overnight, and several items, including a debit card, were taken.

Nature: Burglary
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at approximately 18:35 hours, Officer Tamburro met with a resident of Predmore Avenue who indicated that someone entered her unlocked vehicle during the overnight hours and stole her wallet that contained her ID as well as several credit cards.

Nature: Animal Cruelty
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 20:00 hours, Officer Tamburro responded to Headquarters to meet with a complainant who located an emaciated dog at the intersection of Route 9 North and Lacey Road. The dog, who appeared to be a one-year-old boxer, was extremely malnourished. Nicole from A-Academy responded and did not locate a chip and the dog was transported to Southern Ocean Animal Shelter.

Nature: Attempted Burglary
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, at 22:40 hours, Officer Walsh responded to Hemlock Drive for a report of an attempted car burglary captured on a Ring Doorbell. The caller stated that an unknown male, wearing a dark colored t-shirt and dark colored pants, was observed holding two unknown objects while walking away from their vehicle parked in the driveway. The car was locked, and no damage was observed.

Nature: DWI
On Monday, March 10, 2025, at 17:37 hours, Officer Tranz responded to the 7-11, located at 524 Lacey Road, Forked River, for a report of an intoxicated driver. Upon arrival, contact was made with Ruth Johnson, 69, of Forked River, who was showing signs of impairment. Ruth was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to police headquarters, where she was issued motor vehicle summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Refusal to Submit Breath Samples.

Nature: Shoplifting
On Monday, March 10, 2025 at 18:35 hours, Officer Spina and Officer Tamburro responded to Walmart for a report of two shoplifters in custody. Officers arrived on scene and met with the suspects, 26 year old, Yaritza Sanchez Defelipe and 31 year old, Jose Rosario Garcia both of Camden. The investigation revealed that they both stole approximately $1,200 worth of merchandise. They were placed under arrest, transported to headquarters and charged on summonses for shoplifting and released.

Nature: Warrant Arrest
On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 08:35 hours, Officer Hutman responded to Sunrise Bagels for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, contact was made with John McGrath, age 45, who had a $500.00 warrant out of Brick Township. John was subsequently released on his own recognizance.

Nature: DWI-MVA
On Friday, March 14, 2025, at 23:13 hours, several officers, including Officer Gant, responded to the area of Saltspray Drive and Newport Road to investigate a report of a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, contact was made with the driver, Andrew Thompson, 18, of Forked River who had driven his vehicle while intoxicated and collided with two parked cars. Andrew was subsequently arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, and Careless Driving.

Nature: MV Burglary
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 07:39 hours, Officers Ravallo and McKee responded to headquarters to meet with a resident of Holmes Avenue who indicated that his unsecured truck was burglarized sometime during the overnight hours. The victim stated that his wallet, containing multiple credit cards valued at approximately $50, was stolen, and at least one card was later used at Wawa, 800 Lacey Road, and 7-11, in Bayville, resulting in over $700 worth of fraudulent charges. The officers canvassed the area and reviewed surveillance video from surrounding businesses and residences, which depicted several suspects.

Nature: MV Burglary
On Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 09:59 hours, Officer Carver responded to the 600 block of Chelsea Street for a report of a vehicle burglary. Upon arrival, he met with the victim, who indicated that sometime during the overnight hours, his unsecured truck, parked in his driveway, was entered. Three Home Depot gift cards and two pairs of sunglasses, with a total value of $295, were taken.

Nature: MV Burglary
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 12:38 hours, Officers Ravallo and McKee responded to a residence on Alpine Street for a report of a theft from a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers met with the victim who reported her unsecured truck had been entered sometime between 23:45 hours on March 15 and 13:00 hours on March 16, and numerous items from her center console, including her identification were taken. The total value of the stolen items was $155.00.

ARREST:
The Lacey Towship Police Department detective bureau continued the investigation into several vehicle burglaries and thefts, ultimately identifying Michael Kinsky, 47, of Forked River, as a suspect. Michael was arrested and charged with multiple counts of Receiving Stolen Property, Fraudulent Use of Credit Card, Theft by Deception, Possession of CDS, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Michael was served with his copies of the complaints and transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he was lodged without incident.

Nature: Recovered Stolen MV
On Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2154 hours, Officers responded to the Bay Harbour Motor Lodge to attempt to locate a stolen vehicle as reported by the Toms River Police Department. Upon arrival, the officers met with Samuel Gerve, 43, of Toms River, who was found to be in possession of the vehicle in question. In addition, it was discovered Samuel had a $1,000.00 warrant out of Toms River. Samuel was arrested and transported to police headquarters, where he was charged with Receiving a Stolen Motor Vehicle on a complaint-summons. Samuel was unable to post bail and was transported to the Ocean County Jail by the Toms River Police Department.

Nature: DWI
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 01:05 hours, Officer Spina observed a 2006 Chevy Silverado speeding on Lacey Road near Penn Ave N. Officer Spina conducted a motor vehicle stop and met with the driver, 39 year old, Alexander Palamara of Lanoka Harbor, who was displaying signs of alcohol impairment. Based on the investigation, Alexander was placed under arrest for DWI and transported to headquarters, where he was charged with multiple summonses to include, DWI, Reckless Driving, and Speeding and released.

Nature: Burglary
On Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at 11:01 hours, several officers including, Officer Morrone responded to 621 North Main Street, Blood Marine, for a report of a subject entering vehicles. The caller confronted the subject who fled the area on foot. Officers located the subject who was later identified as Jeffrey Stern, 33, of Toms River. An investigation at the scene confirmed Jeffrey had entered a vehicle at Blood Marine and removed spare change. Jeffrey was arrested and transported to police headquarters where he was charged on a warrant with burglary and theft and subsequently transported to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: Shoplifting, Disorderly Conduct
On Sunday, March 23, 2025 at 13:17 hours, Officer Carver responded to Wawa, 701 Route 9 North for a report of shoplifting. Officer Carver spoke with the gas attendant, who indicated that a male operating a Mercury Grand Marquis, NJ REG W74ULX, stole $58.02 worth of gas. Officer Carver located the vehicle, completed a motor vehicle stop, and arrested the driver, Freddie L. Bethea, age 39, of Seaside Heights. Freddie was charged with a violation of 2C:20-11B(1), Shoplifting, on a complaint summons, issued a special complaint for disorderly conduct, and a summons for a violation of 39:3-40 Suspended DL.

Nature: DWI-CDS Arrest
On Sunday March 30, 2025, at 13:46 hours, multiple officers, including Officer Zacco responded to Walmart for a well being check of an adult female. Upon arrival, the officers met with Veronica Migliore, age 39, of Ocean Township, who was operating her 2012 Acura RDX, NJ REG F53VEK. Veronica displayed signs of impairment and was placed under arrest. A search of Vernoica and her vehicle resulted in the discovery of 12 pipes, approximately 75 wax folds, tin foil balls of heroin, and a scale. Midnite Towing responded and impounded the vehicle pursuant to John's Law. At Headquarters, Sergeant Keefe responded for a DRE evaluation. Officer Zacco charged Veronica with violations of 2C:35-7A, Distribution within 1000 feet of a school zone, 2C:35-10A(1), Possession of CDS, 2C:35-10B(1), Use or Under the Influence, and 2C:36-2A, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia on complaint 1512-W-2025-133. In addition, Officer Zacco issued Veronica summonses for 39:4-50, DWI, 39:4-96 Reckless Driving, and 39:4-49.1 CDS in a Motor Vehicle. After being served with her warrant, Veronica was transported to Ocean County Jail without incident.

Nature: DWI
On Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:05 hours, Officer Schaffer responded to the Cedar Creek School for a report of an intoxicated parent. Upon arrival, Officer Schaffer met with Ashley Blum-Puglisi, age 41, of Forked River, who was displaying obvious signs of impairment after operating her 2018 Chevrolet Tahoe, NJ REG K57KNU. Ashley was subsequently placed under arrest for DWI. Jersey Shore Towing responded to impound Ashley's vehicle, as per John's Law. At Headquarters, Ashley was issued summonses for violations of 39:4-50 DWI, 39:4-50.2 Refusal and, 39:4-96 Reckless Driving.