The weekly blotter from the Berkeley Township Police Department:
Fire Investigation – On December 17th at 6:17 p.m. a township garbage truck caught fire at the Municipal Garage. Patrolman D.J. Williams was dispatched to the scene as well as Sergeant George Dohn. Two sanitation workers had completed their day’s work, parked and shut down their truck. They walked into the Public Works building to clock out. When they came back outside, they saw that the truck was on fire. This fire was mostly contained to the passenger/engine compartment area. Fire Official Jack Weigartner, the Ocean County Fire Marshal, and Detective Jason Mroczka responded to the scene. Bayville Fire Company Station 20 arrived and extinguished the fire, which is still under investigation.
Warrant (Arrest) – On December 17th at 6:30 p.m. Patrolman Jonathan Mulvihill conducted a motor vehicle stop in a parking lot on Route 9. As the vehicle was coming to a stop the driver was reaching towards the rear of the vehicle and under the driver’s side front seat. Upon approaching the vehicle the driver, Ginger Hart, 36 of Stearnan Road, Bricktown was spoken to and provided Patrolman Mulvihill with an Arizona driver’s license and stated that her New Jersey license had been suspended. It was also determined that East Brunswick Police Department had an active warrant for her. She was arrested, brought to Berkeley Police Headquarters where she was processed. East Brunswick Police authorized her release on her own recognizance pending a future court date.
Resisting Arrest by Flight – On December 19th at 3:00 p.m. Patrolman Al Foca, Patrolman Jonathan Mulvihill, Patrolman D.J. Williams and Patrolman Scott Rudolph were dispatched to Second Avenue for the report of a motor vehicle crash. While enroute to the crash scene, dispatch advised that the driver had fled the scene on foot. While in the area, a bystander flagged the officers down and advised that a male matching the suspect’s description was seen running towards the parkway underpass. The officers then began a foot pursuit parallel to the parkway and eventually apprehended the suspect, Julio Bruno, 24 of Dover Road, South Toms River. Bruno was arrested and transported to Berkeley Police Headquarters. He was processed and released on a summons. He also was issued multiple motor vehicle violations summonses.
Burglary – On December 19th at 6:21 p.m. Patrolman Scott Rudolph responded to a Randalls Drive residence in Berkeley Township for a report of a burglary. The owner returned home from work to find her bedroom ransacked and numerous items missing. It appeared the rear door was kicked in between 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Detective Joseph Santoro responded and processed the crime scene. This incident is still under investigation. Any information please contact 732-341-1132 ext. 120.
Warrant (Arrest) – On December 20th at approximately 10:52 p.m. Patrolman Shawn Bowens conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Georgetown Road and Westbrook Drive. The driver was Scott Knutelski, 40 of Ely Court, Berkeley Township. During the motor vehicle stop Patrolman Bowens was advised that Knutelski had several active warrants. He was then arrested and transported to Berkeley Police Headquarters where he was processed. He was later transported to Ocean County Jail pending a future court date.
Warrant (Arrest)/Motor Vehicle Violations – On December 22nd at 3:28 p.m. Patrolman Ed Hendrickson conducted a motor vehicle stop for speeding. Upon further investigation it was discovered that the driver had an outstanding warrant from the Newark Police Department. Cornelius Bernabela, 37 of Jay Street, Newark NJ was placed under arrest, processed and transported to Ocean County Jail in default of bail. He was also issued summonses for driving while suspended and careless driving.
C.D.S. & Weapon (Arrest) – On December 23rd at 8:07 p.m. subsequent to an investigation by Patrolman Mulvihill, Robert Haskins, 54 of Morrell Place, Johnstown, PA was arrested for possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a switch blade knife. He was transported to Berkeley Police Headquarters, processed and released on a summons for a future court date.
Simple Assault (Arrest) – On December 26th at 11:26 p.m. Sergeant Jason Malley, Patrolman Patrick Coletti, Patrolman Clark Baranyay, Patrolman Scott Rudolph, Patrolman Tim Pizzella, Patrolman Ryan Wahl, and Patrolman Al Foca responded to the Elks Lodge on Route 9 for a disturbance. Upon arrival, Sergeant Malley witnessed a group of individuals surrounding the victim, Jeffrey Smith. Sergeant Malley then witnessed Tyrone Brown, 24 of Dover Road, Toms River punch Smith in the face. Brown was arrested, transported to Berkeley Police Headquarters to the municipal jail, was processed, and released on a summons for a future court date.
C.D.S (Arrest) Motor Vehicle summons – On December 27th at 10:54 p.m. Patrolman Scott Rudolph, Patrolman Ryan Wahl, Patrolman Tim Pizzella, and Sergeant Alison Wray were dispatched to “The Cove” on Bay Boulevard for a report of a male passed out in his vehicle. Upon arrival the male, Michael Reardon, 54 of Westport Drive, Barnegat admitted to being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. Bayville Fire Aid medically cleared him. Upon search of the vehicle a controlled dangerous substance was found. Reardon was placed under arrest, transported to Berkeley Police Headquarters, was processed and later taken to his residence. He was issued a complaint summons and a motor vehicle summons for a future court date.
Burglary/Theft – On December 30th at 5:00 p.m. Patrolman Taylor Butler, Patrolman Shawn Bowens, Patrolman D.J. Williams, and Detective Michael O’Connor arrived to a Harborage Avenue address for a reported burglary and theft. The victim had arrived home and found that her front door had been forced open. The officers on scene had been informed that multiple items were missing from the home. Detective O’Connor is investigating. Any information contact 732-341-1132 ext 153.
Burglary – On January 2, 2016 at 8:30 p.m. homeowners of a Zeeland Drive residence returned from a vacation and found their home had been entered through the rear with a window shattered. There were numerous items stolen from the home. Patrolman Scott Rudolph was on scene, as well as Detective William Somers who processed the scene. This case is under investigation. Any information contact 732-341-1132 ext 111.