SUV Crashes Through Manalapan Farm Fence, Driver Sought

MANALAPAN, NJ — A potion of wooden and wire fencing was damaged by an SUV sometime overnight on Tuesday into Wednesday at Maple Leaf Farms.

Now Maple Leaf Farms Manager Carmine Poleseno is hoping the driver will come forward and discuss the matter with him, so he doesn't need to make a formal complaint with the police department.

Poleseno can sometimes be seen on a "retro" TV ad, promoting the "insa-a-a-ne" prices at the Manalapan country store and garden center.

But after the July 4 incident, in which a driver damaged some expensive fencing at the farm, he said he feels "insane" about trying to get the matter resolved.

"There's always something to get insane about nowadays," he said, a bit stressed by the situation.

He said he has video of the incident and he'd like the person to come forward voluntarily.

"I hope to not get anyone in trouble," Poleseno said, and he asked Patch to write a story on the chance the person might reach out and settle the matter.

He said he will wait "a couple of days" before contacting the police.

He said that portion of the farm has deer-proof wooden and wire fencing. He provided a photo of the condition of a portion of the fence now. The fence is made by an Amish fence maker and he will now need to arrange to have the fence repaired by the same person.

He said he has video of the incident on July 4 at 7:26 p.m. when an SUV crashed through the fence at the corner of Old Mill Road and Route 9 in Manalapan. Poleseno said a stop sign was also damaged.

Poleseno said he does not believe the driver called police.

Poleseno said he has the license plate number on camera.

"Before we call the police, we would like the individual to call and come into our store." He said the person should "ask for Dante and we will keep this confidential."