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STAFFORD- On Wednesday February 24, 2016 at approximately 4:50 PM Stafford Police received a report of a hit and run involving a red mustang in the area of Route 9 North and Oxycocus Road. Prior to police arrival, additional reports were received that a red mustang was involved in an accident at the intersection of Route 9 and Hilliard Boulevard and fled the scene. As the vehicle fled the second accident, it struck another vehicle at the same intersection. The accidents heavily damaged the vehicle and it lost a tire and fled the scene driving on the tire rim.

Police located the vehicle a short distance away at a residence on Willow Court. The engine of the vehicle was smoking heavily. Further investigation determined that Veronica Belluscio, 41 YOA, of Willow Court, Manahawkin, NJ was the operator of the 2000 Ford Mustang involved in the accidents. She was placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated.

As a result of this incident, a total of 5 vehicles other than Belluscio’s vehicle were damaged with three occupants being transported to SOMC for minor injuries.

Accident at Route 9 and Oxycocus: Three Car Accident

Belluscio struck: 2016 Lexus Rx3 (Operated by Wendy A. Tomasello of Manahawkin, NJ 49 YOA)

Pushed into a 2005 Honda CRV (Operated by Diana M. Dabrowski, 62 YOA of West Creek, NJ)

Accident at Route 9 and Hilliard Blvd: Three Car Accident

Belluscio struck: 2012 Chevy Equinox( Operated by Lindsay Hoosack of 32 YOA of Barnegat/ Two Child Occupants: 3 YOA female and 9 Months old female Driver was transported for neck pain and two children were transported to get checked out

Pushed into a 2011 Lincoln Mkz (Operated by Amy Fence, 43 YOA of Manahawkin)

Accident at Route 9 and Hilliard Blvd: Two Car Accident

Belluscio struck: 2005 GMC Savannah (Operated by Richard Coffman, 69 YOA Of Manahawkin, NJ)

Belluscio was charged with one count of Resisting Arrest, driving while intoxicated, reckless driving, careless driving, 3 count of leaving the scene of an accident, 3 counts of failure to report an accident, 2 counts of improper passing. She was processed and released pending a future court appearance.

Patrolman Erik Smithman was the arresting officer. Stafford EMS and Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Company assisted in the matter.

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.”

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.

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.