Lakewood police dept. — Lakewood Police Dept.

LAKEWOOD, NJ – A minor gas theft earlier this month ended with criminal charges after a traffic stop in Lakewood led police to the suspect, authorities announced.

According to the Lakewood Police Department, officers responded to a local gas station on January 2 after a driver allegedly pumped about $20 worth of gasoline and left without paying, telling the attendant he would return with the money. When he failed to return, the employee provided officers with a transaction receipt and an image of the vehicle, which were documented by Patrolman Fink as part of the investigation.

The following day, January 3, Patrolman D’Angelo spotted the same vehicle traveling near River Avenue and Cross Street. A traffic stop was conducted, and the driver—later identified as 60-year-old Robert F. Nelson Jr. of Toms River—was found to have an active warrant. Nelson was taken into custody without incident.

Further investigation confirmed Nelson’s involvement in the gas theft, and he was charged with Theft of Services under $200, a petty disorderly persons offense under New Jersey statute 2C:20-2B(4)(A). He was released on a complaint summons pending a future court appearance.

Shore News Network Staff Report Latest posts

Shore News Network Staff Report is the official newsroom byline used by Shore News Network when a story is produced through the collaborative work of multiple members of the editorial team rather than a single reporter.

This newsroom account is reserved for articles that involve contributions from multiple journalists, editors, photographers, researchers, or news desk staff. It is also used for developing stories that are updated as new verified information becomes available, as well as for community announcements, weather coverage, public safety alerts, election results, and other newsroom-produced content.

Every article published under the Shore News Network Staff Report byline is reviewed and edited in accordance with the organization's editorial standards for accuracy, fairness, attribution, and transparency. Information is verified through official government agencies, court records, law enforcement, public documents, direct reporting, interviews, and other reliable primary and secondary sources before publication whenever possible.

The Staff Report account does not use artificial intelligence to independently generate news or publish unverified information. AI-assisted tools may occasionally be used for editorial support tasks such as transcription, formatting, grammar review, or workflow efficiency, but all published content is subject to human editorial oversight and approval by Shore News Network's newsroom staff.

As an independently owned digital news organization, Shore News Network is committed to original reporting, public safety journalism, government accountability, local community coverage, and breaking news throughout New Jersey and surrounding regions. Stories published under the Staff Report byline reflect the collective experience and editorial judgment of the Shore News Network newsroom.

Readers who have corrections, additional information, or news tips related to a Staff Report article are encouraged to contact the newsroom at news@shorenewsnetwork.com. Shore News Network welcomes factual corrections and updates as part of its commitment to accurate, transparent journalism.