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The following is a sample of incidents that Patrol Officers recently responded to or were involved with. This does not represent all of the calls for service that were responded to during this time period. Any persons arrested or charged with offenses are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Additionally, except in specific circumstances, arrest and complaint information filed with the court is public information and names of those charged may be released.

Wednesday December 28, 2016

ASSIST OTHER AGENCY: At 12:21pm Officer Thomason and Officer Grochowski responded to a residence in the Winding Ways Adult Community regarding assisting Manalapan Police Department locate a vehicle. The vehicle was apparently taken without the consent of the owner the day before. After locating the vehicle, the vehicle keys were retrieved and the vehicle was secured for the owner to retrieve.

CRISIS INTERVENTION: At 2:42pm Officer Cilento and Officer Reiff responded to a residence to speak with a female who indicated she wished to commit suicide. After making contact, screeners from Monmouth Medical Southern Campus arrived to speak with the female. After doing so it was determined she needed further evaluation and was transported to the hospital.

Thursday December 29, 2016

AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT: Jackson Police Detectives Rodriguez and Manion, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) are currently investigating an aggravated sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13.

SHOPLIFTING: At 4pm Officer French and Officer Thomason responded to the Meridian health Pharmacy regarding a female who was wandering around the store and acting confused. While speaking with the female, various items were seen protruding from her jacket. As a result of the investigation, the female was arrested. 25 year old Kaylee Pierce of Jacksonville Florida was charged with shoplifting. Ms. Pierce also had an outstand warrant for her arrest out of Howell Township.

CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: At 10:25pm Officer Riso conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of the Wawa Convenience Store on Bennetts Mills Road. During the stop, Officer Riso detected the odor of marijuana. As a result of his investigation, the driver was arrested. 32 year old Michael Jordan of Jackson was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and making an improper turn.

Friday December 30, 2016

FORGERY: At 9am Jackson Municipal Court Clerk Eluzzi was processing the bail money received from the previous day. While doing so, a fraudulent $50 bill was located after being tested with a special pen. The originator of the money is known and the investigation is ongoing.

The Jackson Police Department responded to 9 motor vehicle crashes on this date.

Saturday December 31, 2016

CONTROLLED DANGEROUS SUBSTANCE: At 3am Officer French was dispatched to the area of East Pleasant Grove Road after the department received calls regarding suspicious banging noises being heard and someone walking around with a flashlight. In the area Officer French stopped a vehicle travelling slowly, with a flat tire. The driver indicated he attempted, unsuccessfully, to change the flat tire. While speaking with the driver, the odor of marijuana was detected. As a result, 21 year old Davis Haines of Jackson was arrested. Mr. Haines was charged with possession of marijuana, possession of CDS paraphernalia, possession of CDS in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle in an unsafe condition.

ANIMAL COMPLAINT: At 11am Officer C. Kelly responded to a residence on Maxim Court to speak with the owner of a dog who was attacked. The caller indicated she heard barking and yelping coming from her backyard area and viewed two pit bull dogs attacking her dog. After going outside, the two pit bulls ran off. Unfortunately the dog that was attacked did not survive. The owner of the two bull dogs was later identified and was issued numerous summonses regarding the incident. Officer Grochowski and Officer J. Roth assisted.

Tuesday January 3, 2017

ARREST: At 8:30am Officer Grochowski, Officer Chesney and Sgt Parise attempted to serve an arrest warrant on Harmony Road. At the residence, 45 year old John Horaneck was found hiding in the basement. Horaneck was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Wall Township. While there, 44 year old Steven Dubois was also arrested. Dubois was charged with hindering his apprehension by giving a fictitious name, possession of CDS paraphernalia and possession of a hypodermic needle.

SHOPLIFTING: At 9:30am Officer Candido responded to Stop and Shop regarding a male who was being detained on the ground outside the store. Investigation revealed the male attempted to shoplift $274 worth of batteries. After being confronted by management, the male attempted to flee. While doing so the male destroyed additional merchandise on his way out the door however was detained shortly thereafter. Officer Candido charged 30 year old Brian Worthington of Southampton Pennsylvania with shoplifting and criminal mischief.

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY: At 11am a resident on Forrest Drive called indicating a hispanic male with long black hair came to her door. After answering the door, the male indicated he was there to fix a leaking pipe. The caller states she closed the door and contacted the police. The male left in a bright blue Ford pickup truck, however was not located by responding officers.

– The media and the public are reminded that any persons arrested or charged with any offenses or crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

No charges have been filed yet, but the Jackson Police are investigating a possible weekend sexual assault of 13 year old. Police did not give any further details other than Jackson Police Detectives Rodriguez and Manion, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office and the NJ Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) are currently investigating an aggravated sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13.

The incident happened on Thursday, December 29th.

No further details have been released since.

by Jackson PD

On Saturday at 11am, Jackson Police Officer Chris Kelly responded to a residence on Maxim Court to speak with the owner of a dog who was attacked. The caller indicated she heard barking and yelping coming from her backyard area and viewed two pit bull dogs attacking her dog. After going outside, the two pit bulls ran off. Unfortunately the dog that was attacked did not survive. The owner of the two dogs was later identified and was issued numerous summonses regarding the incident. Officer Grochowski and Officer J. Roth assisted.

The incident happened on Thursday, December 29th.

Early this morning, Surf City Police units were dispatched to a structure fire at 232 Division Avenue. The home was was fully engulfed upon arrival. Surf City Volunteer Fire Company responded, along with fire companies from Long Beach Island and Stafford Twp. The fire was extinguished and the cause of the blaze is currently under investigation. Neighboring homes at 228 Division and 236 Division suffered external damage from the heat. No one was home at the time and no one was injured.

On Sunday, at approximately 7:45pm, the Beachwood Fire Department was dispatched to Birch and Surf Park to set up a landing zone for a severely injured subject.

Upon arrival, Command Units and MONOC’s medical airship found the location was unable to be used due to the powdery snow conditions.

The landing zone was then relocated to the parking lot of the Beachwood Elementary School. Fire Department personnel assisted the Beachwood First Aid, South Toms River First Aid and MONOC medics with the patient.

Photo, info provided by Beachwood VFD

TOMS RIVER-Former Toms River Chief of Police, Sheriff Michael Mastronardy was sworn in for his second term in office on Wednesday.

Do you recognize this man?  A sketch, drawn with no shirt on to depict accuracy was released by the Evesham Police Department today.   Police are seeking this man who allegedly chase a couple of teenage girls wearing nothing but his sneakers.   This hairy, plump beast who harassed these girls is on the loose and police want to find him.

On Friday December 30, 2016, at 1:07pm, Patrol Units responded to the area of Ravens Row and Fox Chase Road for the report of a Lewdness Complaint/Attempted Luring. Upon arrival the caller, reported his 15 year old daughter and her 14 year old friend ran into his home after reporting that a naked man got out of his vehicle and ran toward them.

It was reported that the young girls were walking in the area of Westerly Drive to the basketball courts when they a noticed a black Jeep (Cherokee Style) drive by them. They noticed the white male driver did not have a shirt on, which struck their attention. Minutes later they observed the Jeep again, this time it stopped and the white male got out of the vehicle who was fully naked. The girls reported the naked male ran toward their direction at which time they ran home. The subject was last seen getting back into his vehicle and driving toward Ravens Row. Both girls reported the subject did not say anything to them during the incident.

Suspect Description: a “chubby” white male late 30’s to early 40’s age range “clean shaven” with a faded style haircut.

Vehicle Description: black Jeep “Cherokee style” with no tire and white decal on right side of window. Unknown registration.

If anyone witnessed this incident or has information on the identity of this suspect you are asked to contact the Evesham Police Department at 856-983-1116, the Confidential Tip Line at 856-983-4699 or email at Facebook@Eveshampd.org. Anonymous tips text ETPDTIP to 847411

TOMS RIVER-Firefighters responded to a home at 1401 Silverton Road here last night in response to a structure fire.   The fire appears to have started in a detached two car garage adjacent to the home.    The fire spread to the main structure before the first firefighters arrived, damaging the living area of the home.    The fire began at 4:28pm. Police said a man and woman were inside the home at the time of the fire but were not injured.   The fire is under investigation.

You can see a video of the fire on our Ocean County news Facebook page.  Photo by TRPD. Overview by Google Earth.

by Al DellaFave, OCPO

TOMS RIVER-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Chief of Police Mitch Little announced today the culmination of an investigation by Detectives from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, Northern Enforcement Unit along with members of the Toms River Police Special Enforcement Team resulting in the arrest of an out of state fentanyl dealer. The partnering agencies operation culminated in the arrest of two Philadelphia residents on multiple drug charges and seizure of a large quantity of fentanyl.

The above investigation which began in mid-December centered around a Philadelphia man who was allegedly found to be distributing quantities of Fentanyl from a Toms River hotel. The investigation identified Farid Brown, 24, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as being an alleged supplier of Heroin who would travel to Toms River regularly to distribute quantities of Heroin.

On December 28, 2016 detectives learned that Mr. Brown was staying in a room located at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge located at 955 Hooper Avenue, Toms River NJ. During the evening hours of Wednesday, December 28, 2016, members of the Toms River Police Departments Emergency Services Unit executed a no knock search warrant on room 135 of the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge. As a result of the search warrant Detectives recovered approximately 40 grams of a white powder believed to be heroin in raw (Unpackaged) form as well as in pre-packaged individual dosage units. Detectives also recovered drug paraphernalia such as rubber bands, hundreds of new unused wax folds, a scale and a small spoon often associated with the packaging and distribution of heroin.

Farid Brown was located in the hotel room at the time of the search warrant, along with Ms Ganiel L. Howard, 25, also of Philadelphia. Both Brown and Howard were subsequently placed under arrest and transported to the Toms River Police Department.
The recovered white powder in both raw (Unpackaged) form and the pre-packaged folds of white powder that was originally believed to be heroin were submitted to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Lab. The test results revealed that the white powder was actually Fentanyl.

Ocean County Prosecutor’s Captain Jack Sramaty, who serves as the Commander of the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, praised the efforts of all the detectives involved in this investigation stating, “The dedication and commitment of the Detectives of both the Special Operations Group and the Toms River Police Department are second to none. As a team, the Prosecutor’s Office along with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners will continue to relentlessly identify, investigate and prosecute the dealers whose illegal activities are impacting Ocean County.”

In addition to the Prosecutor’s Detectives from the Special Operations Group and the Toms River Police Departments Special Enforcement Team, Toms River Police Department’s Emergency Services Unit, Operations Bureau and K-9 Unit all participated and assisted in this investigation.

The following individuals were arrested and charged:

Farid Brown, age 24, 6132 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania was charged with Possession of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl), Possession of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl) over one half ounce Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. The Honorable Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels, P.J.Cr.P set bail at $150,000 no ten percent. Mr. Brown was subsequently lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Ganiel L. Howard, age 25, 1515 North 58 th Street, Philadelphia Pennsylvania was charged with Conspiracy to Possess of CDS (Heroin/Fentanyl) over one half ounce Intent to Distribute. Ms. Howard was released on a summons pending future court dates.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

by Steven Laskiewicz, JPD

JACKSON-On Wednesday January 4, 2017 at approximately 10:43 am, a call was received at the Rosenauer School by an anonymous subject indicating that a person armed with a weapon was enroute to the school and would be there shortly.

by Ralph Stocco, TRPD

TOMS RIVER-On December 22^nd, Toms River Detective Randy Petrick, arrested and charged a Toms River Man with robbery. The charges stem from a December 20^th incident at the Fischer Boulevard TD Bank in which a man handed the teller a note demanding money.  The note stated “If you don’t follow these instructions then I will shoot you and everyone else in the bank.”

After surveillance images of the man were disseminated to local news outlets and various social media sites; tips began to come in.  The man was ultimately identified as 36 year old Paul E. Hansen, of Linden Road.  He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail on $100,000 bail. We want to thank those citizens that provided us with the valuable information that led to this arrest.

by Al DellaFave, OCPO

TOMS RIVER-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato and Toms River Township Police Chief Mitch Little today announced the following investigation update regarding the Christmas Day pedestrian death of Keith Elliott, 45, of Toms River.

The initial accident was reported on December 25th, at approximately 10:38 am, when police and medical units were dispatched to the intersection of Highland Parkway and Herflicker Boulevard for a man lying in the roadway. Responding officers located the victim, later identified as Keith Elliott, 45, of Messenger Street in Toms River. Mr. Elliott was deceased and no lifesaving efforts were able to be performed.

The Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI, and Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office were called to the scene to assist Toms River Township Police in the investigation. Toms River Police Traffic Safety Officer Adam Koeppen and Ocean County Prosecutor Detective Michael Proto were designated the lead investigators on the case.

The initial investigation found that, prior to his death; Mr. Elliott left his residence and was believed to be walking to the bus terminal on Highland parkway. He was planning on taking a bus to Lacey Township where he was to spend Christmas Day with his family.

On December 26, 2016, members of the Toms River Police Department and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene to continue the investigation and observe traffic near the time of the incident. At approximately 10:15 am (approximate crash time) a NJ Transit bus traveling north on Highland Parkway made a right turn onto Herflicker Blvd. This bus was stopped and questioned as to its possible involvement regarding the prior day pedestrian fatal. The partnering detectives found that the driver, Wilford Anderson Jr., 60, of Sicklerville, NJ, had worked the previous day and while operating a different bus, did in fact turn onto Herflicker Blvd after exiting the bus terminal. They found further that Anderson did encounter a pedestrian near the area of the crash walking south towards the bus terminal who was trying to wave him down and board the bus. Anderson stopped the bus and allowed the pedestrian to cross in front of him while gesturing to him that he cannot board the bus. Anderson believed the pedestrian continued walking away from the bus toward the terminal as he made his turn onto Herflicker Blvd to continue his route.

OCPO Detectives would later secure video footage confirming the involvement of Mr. Anderson’s bus in the accident. An examination of the bus Anderson was operating at the time of the accident provided additional evidence that Keith Elliott was indeed struck by Anderson’s bus. Interviews of Anderson, as well as bus passengers, indicated that they allege they were not aware that Elliott had been struck.

The above event details are preliminary findings to date. The investigation continues.

by Manchester PD

MANCHESTER-If you don’t yet have a New Year’s Resolution, please consider making a renewed focus on safe driving: help keep yourself, your loved ones, and other drivers safe while on the road. For starters, always wear a seat belt, never text and drive or operate other electronic devices, obey all speed limits and traffic signs, and have a designated driver if drinking.

For those with small children, our Traffic Safety experts will be happy to install car seats and check that current installations are safe. Stop by Ridgeway Vol. Fire Co. #1 Sta. 34 tomorrow (Wednesday, January 4th) for our monthly car seat safety inspection, from 4 to 7 p.m. These free safety inspections are held on the first Wednesday of each month.

by Vincent Manco, MPD

MANCHESTER-Three local men, including two from Manchester were arrested by officers from the Manchester Township Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team after they investigated suspected drug activity in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township. The investigation started after the Narcotics Team received several complaints about suspected drug activity in the area.

On Wednesday evening, December 28, 2016, members of the Manchester Township Police Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (N.E.T.) were conducting surveillance in the Pine Lake Park section of the Township when they observed suspicious activity which they suspected to be drug related. At approximately 6:21 P.M., officers stopped a suspicious vehicle, which was involved in the suspected drug distribution investigation on State Highway 70 near mile marker 37. During the stop, officers detected the odor of marijuana inside of the vehicle and subsequently requested the assistance of the Department’s K-9 Unit which was nearby. Further investigation revealed that the driver of the vehicle, 19-year-old, Nicholas Marquis of Beacon Street in Manchester, provided false information to officers. Additionally, he was found to be in possession of a hunting knife, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. One of the vehicle’s passengers, 18-year-old, Troy Ksyniak of Monmouth Avenue in Manchester was also found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. The third occupant of the vehicle, 21-year-old, Elijah Miller of Anchorage Boulevard in Bayville was found to be in possession of 28 doses of LSD or “acid”, alprazolam, marijuana, THC extract, and drug paraphernalia. As a result, all three were arrested and taken to police headquarters for processing.

As a result of the investigation, Ksyniak was charged with Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams and Possession of Paraphernalia, and released on criminal summonses. Marquis was charged with Hindering His Own Apprehension, Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose, Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams, Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail on $15,000.00 bail. Miller was charged with Possession of LSD, Possession with Intent to Distribute LSD, Possession of Alprazolam (Schedule IV), Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams, Possession of THC Extract, and Possession of Paraphernalia. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail on $100,000.00 bail. Assisting in the investigation were members of the Department’s Patrol Bureau.

Residents are reminded that drug tips can be reported to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” link.

Marquis and Miller are no longer lodged in the Ocean County Jail, according to the jail’s inmate lookup system.