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Toms River Chabad Hearing Set for April 14th Zoning Board Meeting

The Toms River Township zoning board announced a new date for the next hearing on the controversial Chabad Jewish Center variance.

The application for Chabad Jewish Center of Toms River, 2001 Church Road, Block 394, Lot 17, for a Use Variance and Minor Site Plan has been carried to a Special Meeting on Thursday, April 14, 2016, at the Auditorium at Toms River High School North at 7:30 p.m. per the attorney’s request. New notice is required and the applicant will waive time limitations on the Use Variance until one day beyond the hearing date.

Man Burglarizes Home While Family, Children Sleeping Inside

TOMS RIVER-Shortly before 4:30 Am on Saturday February 27, a male entered a residence on Wyoming Drive while the family, including children, were sleeping. The suspect removed two purses and left the house. Surveillance cameras captured the male entering and leaving according to police here.

“We are seeking to identify a white male, possibly in his early to mid-twenties wearing a zip up Champion hooded sweatshirt, jeans and what appear to be two toned Addias flip flops (possibly black and white),” police spokesperson Ralph Stocco said in a statement.  “Anyone with information should contact Detective James Carey at 732-349-0150 extension 1292 or Detective Thomas DiMichele at extension 1333.”

Stocco was confident that the public would once again assist as they have done on numerous occasions since the Police Department took to Facebook to find wanted criminals.

“Smile you sneaky fool, your on camera,” Stocco wrote.  “Please turn yourself in before 20 of your friends rat you out and we have to waste the taxpayers money on gas to come get you.”

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Armed Robbery Reported in Ocean County Stop & Shop Parking Lot

On Saturday, February 27, 2016 at approximately 9:25 am, officers from the Manchester Township Police responded to the Super Stop & Shop supermarket located at 400 Lacey Road in the Whiting section of the Township for the report of an armed robbery. Upon arrival, officers met with a female victim who told them that she had just gotten into her vehicle to leave the parking lot after food shopping when an unknown white male opened her driver’s side door and demanded that she give him all of her money. The victim stated that while the suspect was standing inside her door, he opened his jacket and revealed what she believed to be a dark colored handgun. The victim stated that she gave the male all the cash that she had on her at which point he fled the scene on foot towards the nearby Wendy’s restaurant and County Route 539. The suspect was described as a white male, believed to be in his late 20’s or 30’s, approximately 5’10” to 6’ tall. He was said to be wearing a dark colored jacket with a beige hooded sweatshirt underneath and light gray sweat pants. Furthermore, he was reported to have had a blue or black bandana covering his face. 


Assisting in the case where members of the Manchester Township Police Patrol and Investigations Bureaus as well as K-9 handler Marc Micciulla and his partner Storm. Also assisting with the investigations were detectives from the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit. The case in currently being investigated by Det. Robert Maccaquano of the Investigations Bureau with the assistance of Patrolman Thomas O’Hare.
Anyone having any information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Manchester Township Police Dispatch immediately at 732-657-6111 or Detective Robert Maccaquano at 732-657-2009, ext. 4202. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private Facebook message. Any help from the public is greatly appreciated.

Mantoloking Fire Chief in ICU After Fire Destroys $1.5M Home

Two firefighters were injured, one seriously while battling a fire at a vacant home on Channel Lane in Mantoloking yesterday.

Mantoloking Police & Fire departments were dispatched to the residents after receiving a report of heavy black smoke and flames at approximately 6:15 pm.

Upon arrival the structure was fully engulfed in flames.  Responding police officers quickly determined that there was no one in the home. Fire companies from Point Pleasant Beach, Point Pleasant Borough, Bay Head, Brick, Mantoloking and South Wall all responded to battle the blaze

Two injuries were reported by the Mantoloking Fire Department including Mantoloking Fire Chief Larry Gilman and a Bay Head firefighter.  Both were transported to Brick Hospital.

The Bay Head firefighter was treated and released. The Mantoloking Fire Chief Is being held In ICU for additional treatment, and is stable at this time.

The Ocean County Fire Marshall will be handling the investigation.

“We ask that every stay clear of the area so that the investigators can do their job,” the department said in a release.

Photo originally published by NJ Fire Incidents @wt2fd.

Channel lane

 

American Whiskey Comes Home: American Whiskey Convention is a Grand Tasting at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA on March 25th

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Pennsylvania is the birthplace of American Whiskey. On March 25th, Philadelphia is hosting the country’s most exciting distilleries as they highlight their best bourbons and American whiskeys. Up until prohibition, Pennsylvania was at the heart of American Rye whiskey production. Pennsylvania grew the grains, distilled the spirits and distributed whiskey…

What Yankees fans need to know about YES vs. Comcast squabble

TAMPA — If you’re one of the 900,000 residents of North Jersey, Connecticut, or Pennsylvania whose cable provider is Comcast, you may have noticed that the YES Network has been blacked out since November. YES provides coverage for the Yankees, Brooklyn Nets, and New York FC soccer club, serving as the Yanks’ regional sports network since…

Flu on the uptick in parts of N.J.

If you’ve managed to avoid flu this year, don’t pat yourself on the back just yet: New Jersey’s flu season started later than usual, and is just now beginning to crank up. Luckily, this year’s version of the flu vaccine turns out to be a pretty good match for the strains that have appeared, federal health…

PARCC Exam This Year Will Include Additional Section of Practice Questions

As statewide PARCC testing starts up again this spring, there will be a new wrinkle for scores of districts that will need to take part in nearly two hours of so-called field testing of practice questions. Districts were alerted this week that a third of them will be required to participate in what is a common…

Interactive Map: More Than 20 Percent of NJ Residents Were Born Outside U.S.

The steady stream of immigrants settling in New Jersey has led to a rise in the percentage of residents who are foreign-born and is almost negating any loss of New Jerseyans moving to other states, U.S. Census data shows. New Jersey had 1.9 million residents who had immigrated to the United States, according to the 2014…

Shore Area Swindler Indicted For $388,000 Con Job

An Ocean County man captured by police in 2014 for defrauding potential tenants of a Howell Township home of security deposits through Craigslist has been indicted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office today.

In 2014, Michael J. Harrold, of Brick Township was captured in Florida after cashing checks for security deposits from multiple victims who he showed his Albatross Drive home to and entered into rental agreements with them that he never intended to honor.

According to court records, Harrold used a Craigslist advertisement to con would-be renters out of a $500 security deposit, netting at least $6,000.

The advertisements listed  four and five bedroom homes in “Ramtown” and “Howell” with rent ranging between $1,900 and $2,000 per month.

In March of 2014, an arrest warrant issued on Harrold out of Howell Township and police tracked him down to Florida where he was captured by a bailbondsman who bailed him out of jail on multiple occasions. When Harrold failed to show up for court, No Jail Time Bail Bonds began their search and captured him.    He quickly made bail, but today, officials announced new charges against Harrold.

Harrold was charged on 39 different counts of theft and passing bad checks totaling over $388,000 at various shore area jewelry retailers in addition to his rental scam.

Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton said Harrold would buy jewelry from stores such as Costco Wholesale with bogus checks and bring those items to local pawn shops and gold buyers to get cash.   He did the same with vehicles, buying vehicles from a car dealer and bringing them to another to sell.

Anton said he was also charged with money laundering after his investigation discovered  large amounts of Harrold’s proceeds were spent inside Atlantic City casinos.

He is currently out on bail.

Al Della Fave, spokesperson for the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said it is not known if all of Harrold’s victims have been identified, but asked that anyone who feels they may have been defrauded by Harrold should immediately contact the prosecutor’s office at 732 929-2027.

Check back later for more details on this evolving story.

 

A detailed log of Harrold’s crime spree…

4/5/2013 Brick Costco Wholesale $6,885.00
4/6/2013 Lakewood Pine Belt $31,853.00
4/7/2013 Brick Costco Wholesale $11,555.00
4/8/2013 Lakewood Larson Ford $24,928.00
4/29/2013 Tinton Falls World Volkswagen $23,000.00
5/2/2013 Tinton Falls Shrewsbury Motors $20,961.00
5/3/2013 Brick Costco Wholesale $5,260.00
5/9/2013 Lodi Gary Motors $47,190.00
22-May Brick Blaines Jewelry Box $7,329.00
5/23/2013 Brick Country Store Jewelers $9,523.00
5/24/2013 Brick Blaines Jewelry Box $4,450.00
5/24/2013 Brick Andrews Auto Body $759.00
5/28/2013 Brick Country Store Jewelers $4,922.00
5/31/2013 Howell Jewelry Link $8,560.00
6/1/2013 Point Pleasant Gold Fever $15,836.00
6/10/2013 Toms River Good as Gold Jewelers $13,000.00
6/14/2013 Wall Mr. Kim Jewelers $14,500.00
6/14/2013 Wall DeHearn Jewelry $14,000.00
6/16/2013 Eatontown Monmouth Town, Inc. $9,095.00
6/16/2013 Belmar Belmar Jewelers $9,000.00
6/18/2013 Freehold Salkin’s Jewel Case $39,055.00
6/20/2013 Brick Steven Chiarelli Jewelers $32,000.00
6/20/2013 Fair Haven Gem of an Idea $17,815.00
1/13/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
1/25/2014 Colts Neck J. Vincent Jewelers $13,000.00
1/31/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/11/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/18/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/20/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/22/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/22/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/24/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
2/25/2014 Howell Security Deposit Fraud $500.00
Total $388,976


			


				






	

					

				
Man Claiming to be Real Estate Buyer from Lakewood Charged with Trespassing
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
TOMS RIVER-Less than one week after Toms River Township officials passed a cease and desist order against aggressive real estate agents from Lakewood Township, police here say they have arrested a man for trespassing after entering a foreclosed home.


On Wednesday, the day after the cease and desist order was enacted, numerous township police officers responded to a home on Crystal Mile Court in reference to a burglary in progress.


The residence lies just south of the Lakewood border and within the cease and desist zone.


“It was reported that a lone man was seen entering the home through a window. Upon arrival a secure perimeter was set up,” said Ralph Stocco of the Toms River Police Department.  “Officers were observing through the open window and eventually saw the man emerge from the basement. He was then taken into custody. The man, Israel Feldbrand, initially claimed that an associate of his had told him that he owned the residence and that Feldbrand could go view it as a potential property to purchase. Feldbrand later stated that this man may work for a real estate company and the home may be in foreclosure.”


Stocco said investigating officers could not verify the legitimacy of Mr. Feldbrand claims and he was subsequently placed under arrest.


Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher stated, “The arrest of Mr. Feldbrand is further proof of the type of conduct taking place in Toms River by unscrupulous individuals and realtors. This type of behavior will not be tolerated and is added justification for the cease and desist ordinance unanimously approved by the Township Council on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.”


Council President Brian Kubiel adds that “This is the kind of behavior our residents have repeatedly complained about which is the reason the cease and desist ordinance was enacted. Residents should remain vigilant about the safety and security of their residences and report any suspicious activity to the Police.”


Israel Feldbrand, 36, of Twin Oaks Drive in Lakewood, was arrested at the scene and then transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with one count of criminal trespass and released pending a future court date.

			


				





	

					

				
Butcher Knife Wielding Mugger Stopped at Gunpoint by Cop in Lakewood
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
LAKEWOOD-On February 26, 2016 at approximately 3 am, Officer Kristie Buble was traveling east on Route 88 when she observed what she perceived was one male chasing another. While turning her patrol car around, she observed the second male identified as 25 year old Jose Trejos Zamora of Lakewood, reach into his waistband and pull out a large butcher style knife and throw it to the ground as he continued to pursue the first male.


Officer Buble was able to position her car between the two men, exit it and then drew her weapon while ordering Zamora to stop. Additional responding Officers assisted in securing him.


The victim, a 23 year old Toms River man, informed the Officers that Zamora attempted to rob him at knifepoint. He then fled on foot until discovered by PO Buble.


Further investigation by Det. Peter Aakjer and Officer Charles Messer resulted in Zamora being charged with Robbery and Weapon Violations. Bail was set at $250,000 no 10%. He was later transported to Ocean County Jail.


Report by Lakewood Police Department.

			


				











	

					

				
Mayor Gotto: Howell Township Municipal Alliance Making A Difference in the Lives of Our Citizens
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
 




HOWELL-Formed in 1989 for the prevention of drug, alcohol and tobacco use among Howell Township youth, the Howell Township Municipal Alliance (HTMA) addressed the township council at Monday nights’ town meeting to tell the council and township of their efforts.


HTMA co-chairs Christa Riddle and Howell Township Police Officer Michael  Pavlick were in attendance at the meeting.


The HTMA partners with the township, police department and school district and coordinates a united township effort when it comes to youth prevention related issues in Howell.




“The biggest goal for this year to get out into the community a lot more.    Many people don’t know what the alliance is.  I wasn’t quite sure until I got involved,” Pavlick said.  “We’re going to try to get to as many youth events as we can and try to talk to the kids about the dangers of drugs, alcohol abuse and other topics we have.”


Pavlick said that you can expect to find HTMA volunteers this year at youth sporting events and invited members of the community to join the alliance and volunteer to help or provide ideas on how they can better serve and connect with the community.


“We’re always looking for volunteers,” he said.


“We’re for the prevention of substance abuse, suicide, bullying and anything prevention to protect the youth of our town,” Riddle said.   “We do a lot of prevention programs through schools, the town, police and mayor and hope to see you at our events.”


“Over the last couple of years, I have had the pleasure of working with Christa and Mike,” Gotto said. “I wanted to thank them for everything you do.”  Gotto said the partnership between the township, the police department and the HTMA has allowed the township to connect to the community and deliver prevention focused public service announcements.  He also said the HTMA partnership with the police department and township has allowed the town to find new ways to secure funding and grants for prevention initiatives.


“You’re really making a difference in the lives of our citizens,” Gotto addded. “Thank you.”


The HTMA publishes the Prevention Press newsletter six times annually.  Prevention Press updates the community about the activities of the HTMA and offers prevention advice and news.   It is distributed through the schools and current and past editions are available online.


“The leadership in this town has always taken an active role in prevention, and recent events have made us more aware that additional work is still needed,” Gotto wrote in the January edition of the Prevention Press.  “We work closely with Chief Kudrick and the task force created within the police department so we hear first-hand what is really going on in our community regarding substance abuse.  This allows us to collaborate with the Howell Alliance to implement effective prevention strategies specifically aimed at the problems we face as a community. There is no cookie-cutter solution that works in every town. Every municipality has its own dynamic due to location and demographics.”


You can learn more about the HTMA or read the latest edition of Prevention Press online.



			


				





	

					

				
Mayor Gotto Recognizes Howell Girls Basketball Champions
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
HOWELL-Howell Township mayor William Gotto and the township council recognized the Howell Hawks U11 travel basketball team for their 2015-16  Mid-Monmouth County Championship.


“It’s always a pleasure for us to reward and recognize people who have amazing accomplishments in the township especially when we get young boys and girls to go out and compete and represent Howell in a fantastic and positive way,” Gotto said.  “We recognize them for their hard work and team spirit and their positive influence they’ve had on the township.”


Coach Mike Greene thanked Gotto and the council.


“We’ve been here three years in a row, two years losing  by a basket, this year by winning a point,” Greene said.  “These kids are so inspirational to me for what they do every day. I’m very proud of them.”


The girls finished their season with a 15-1 record.


“These kids are simply the best,” Greene added. “They really are.”

			


				





	

					

				
Middletown Porch Poacher Caught and Released
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				


The Middletown Police department announced that they have arrested the women who was caught on video stealing a package from the porch of a Statesir Place home last week. Lauren Miller, 51, of West Front Street in the Township was arrested this morning by Detectives Daniel Sullivan and Keith Hirschbein. Miller was charged with three counts…

			


				





	

					

				
Manchester Police Searching for Missing 24 Year Old Woman
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
The Manchester Township Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing township woman, Amanda Picard, who was last seen on February 5, 2016, at her grandmother’s residence in Holiday City, Berkeley.


She was dropped off by her parents at her grandmother’s home for the weekend on February 5th and has not been seen since. She does not have an active license or own a vehicle and there is no possible destination information available. Furthermore, she left the residence without her cell phone. Ms. Picard is described as a 24-year-old white female, 5’7” tall, 130 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair.


If anyone has any information concerning the whereabouts of Amanda Picard, or has had any form of communication with her, please contact the Manchester Township Police Dispatch immediately at 732-657-6111 or Detective Rich Jupinka at 732-657-2009, ext. 4206. Anonymous tips can be submitted online at www.Manchesterpolicenj.com. Tips may also be submitted through private Facebook message. Any help the public can provide in locating this individual is greatly appreciated.

			


				





	

					

				
After Toms River Rejection, Empanada Guy Finds Open Arms in Brick
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
BRICK-After his business was rejected by the Toms River township council last March, Carlos Serrano, the “Empanada Guy” has received a warm welcome from nearby Brick Township.   Serrano’s very popular food truck was denied access in Toms River after local brick and mortar competitors objected to his request to operate within the town, citing a 1973 ordinance  that bars the operation of food trucks within the township unless they move their vehicle every thirty minutes.


Serrano said he will operate out of the parking lot of the Ocean Ice Palace and is hoping to have approvals to begin operations in March.


The announcement was made on the Empanada Guy’s Facebook page in January and in the weeks since, eager foodies and fans of Serrano’s have been impatient, asking daily when he will open.


“I wanted to apply for a permanent location for one of my food trucks in Toms River,” Serrano said.  “The ordinance is from 45 years ago.”


But the township refused to accommodate Serrano, forcing him to look elsewhere to establish his business in Ocean County.


Last year, Paul Shives, township business administrator told Serrano the law was written specifically to keep businesses such as his out of Toms River.


 

			


				






	

					

				
Storm leaves more than 1K without power, delays school in Monmouth, Ocean counties
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				


The storm that brought rain and strong gusts of wind to New Jersey overnight caused nearly 2,000 customers in Monmouth and Ocean counties to wake up without power on Thursday morning. As of 6 a.m. Jersey Central Power & Light was reporting that 1,256 of its customers in Monmouth County were without power, with Long Branch…

			


				





	

					

				
Man's Throat Slashed Outside Ocean County Drugstore
		

			 		

					

			
			

				
LITTLE EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP-Police here said a man’s throat was slashed after an altercation outside the Walgreen’s drug store on Mathistown Road.   Lt. Troy Bezak said the event happened at 3:30pm on Wednesday when two men, yet to be identified were arguing outside the store.  One man slashed the other man’s throat with a knife and fled.  The victim chased the man across the street.  Police said they have arrested the attacker.   The victim suffered serious wounds which were not considered life-threatening.

			


				





	

					

				
Lakewood Man Wanted for Theft of Motor Vehicle in Lacey
		

			 		

					

			
			

				
LACEY-On Tuesday, February 16, 2016, at 11:06 p.m., Officer George Resetar responded to 811 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor for a report of theft. The victim reported that while she was visiting her sister at the residence of 811 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, NJ her car was stolen by her sister’s boyfriend, 25-year-old Melvin Ozoria of 345 New Central Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. The stolen vehicle was reported as a silver, 2014, Kia Optima. The suspect reportedly took the keys off of a table inside the residence and left with the vehicle to an unknown location. A complaint-warrant was obtained for Melvin Ozoria for a charge of Theft of Movable Property with bail set by Judge Damian Murray in the amount $20,000. The suspect, Melvin Ozoria, brought the vehicle back to the residence at approximately 3:24 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016. The vehicle appeared to have been involved in an accident, as it was returned with significant damage to the passenger side. The victim and the suspect engaged in a verbal altercation that turned physical. Melvin Ozoria then fled the area without the vehicle. Melvin Ozoria of 345 New Central Avenue in Lakewood is wanted on the $20,000 warrant as of the time of this release.

			


				





	

					

				
Toms River Man Arrested for Stealing Nearly $500 in Legos from Walmart
		

			 		

					

			

						
						
							
						
					

			

				
LACEY-On Friday, February 19, 2016, at 5:37 p.m., Officer Dimitrios Tsarnas responded to Walmart, 580 Route 9 North in Lanoka Harbor, in reference to a report of shoplifting. The loss prevention employee reported that he observed a male subject attempting to exit the store with a shopping cart full of merchandise for which payment had not been made. Upon being confronted, the suspect reportedly left the shopping cart of merchandise and fled the area on foot. The shoplifted merchandise consisted of $488.06 of Lego’s and a $4.47 quart of oil. Upon further investigation, the shoplifter was identified as 31-year-old Douglas M. Gifford Jr. of Flint Road in Toms River, NJ. A $1,500 warrant was issued for his arrest.

			


				






	

					

				
Toms River to Set New Date for Chabad Hearing
		

			 		

					

			
			

				
On Thursday, the Toms River zoning board will announce a new date for the hearing of the application for the Chabad Jewish Center of Toms River.  The controversial application involving a Jewish community center’s variance has caused the township to move meetings to the auditorium at Toms River High School North.    After canceling the February 18th meeting, the board is scheduled to meet tonight, but will not hear testimony on the Chabad application.


Tonight’s regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7:30 pm in the L. Manuel Hirshblond Room, Town Hall, 33 Washington Street, Toms River, New Jersey. It will be listed on the agenda for rescheduling purposes only.