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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…