Bicycle Theft, DUI Arrests: Point Pleasant Police Blotter

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — A Manasquan man was charged with theft after he rode off on a bicycle from a Point Pleasant business in late February, police said.

The bicycle theft arrest was one of several items Point Pleasant Police shared in their blotter report for February. There also were six arrests on charges of driving under the influence and a warrant arrest, according to information provided by Capt. Christopher Leonhardt.

Here are the incidents by date:

Feb. 1: About 12:10 a.m., P.O. Pierce Drzymkowski pulled over a vehicle on Bridge Avenue for traveling in the opposite lane. Through his investigation, P.O. Drzymkowski determined that the driver, a 32-year-old resident of Point Pleasant, was driving while intoxicated. The driver was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing, then released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 3: About 2:20 a.m., P.O. Michael Cappello pulled over a vehicle at a commercial business on Route 88. Through his investigation, P.O. Cappello determined that the driver, a 43-year-old resident of Lakewood, was driving while intoxicated. While in custody the driver was also found to be in possession of a white powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. The driver was charged with driving while intoxicated and drug possession and released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 4: About 12:25 a.m., P.O. Michael Cappello pulled over a vehicle on Route 88. Through his investigation, P.O. Cappello determined that the driver, a 28-year-old resident of Brick, was driving while intoxicated. The driver was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing, then released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 10: About 2:12 a.m., P.O. Michael Cappello pulled over a vehicle on Route 88 for traveling in the opposite lane. Through his investigation, P.O. Cappello determined that the driver, a 38-year-old resident of Jackson, was driving while intoxicated. The driver was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing, then released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 15: About 12:45 a.m., P.O. John Jakubiak responded to a call for service at a commercial business and arrested Nina Poncio, a 32-year-old resident of Neptune on an outstanding warrant issued out of Wall Township Municipal Court. The defendant was transported to headquarters and later turned over to the custody of Wall Township Police in default of cash bail.

Feb. 23: About 12:11 a.m., P.O. Matthew Ippolito pulled over a vehicle stop on Route 88 for speeding. Through his investigation, P.O. Ippolito determined that the driver, a 39-year-old resident of Barnegat, was driving while intoxicated. The driver was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing, then released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 24: About 3:09 a.m., P.O. Matthew Ippolito investigated a motor vehicle collision on Route 88 at the intersection of River Avenue. Through his investigation, P.O. Ippolito determined that the driver of one of the involved vehicles, a 21-year-old resident of Point Pleasant, was driving while intoxicated. The operator was arrested and taken to headquarters for processing, then released according to John’s Law.

Feb. 27: At 10:16 a.m., P.O. Christopher Phillips investigated a bicycle theft from a local business on Route 88. With the assistance of Point Pleasant Beach Police Department, the suspect was located riding the bicycle and was subsequently placed under arrest several blocks away following a brief foot pursuit. The suspect was identified as Austin Gaeckler, 26, of Manasquan. He was charged with theft of the bicycle and was taken to the Ocean County Jail. The theft charge was elevated to a third-degree crime because the value of the bicycle exceeded $500.