Close-up Of Various Sport Equipments On Pitch Against Bokeh Background

Travel team manager arrested for stealing team money — Close-up Of Various Sport Equipments On Pitch Against Bokeh Background

MANCHESTER-A 52-year-old township travel baseball team manager was arrested on Thursday after it was learned that he misappropriated $6,500 in team money. Michael Walters, of Pine Lake Park was charged with one count of theft by deception following the investigation by Manchester Township Police.

On March 20, 2019, coaches and team representatives for a local Boys 10U Travel Baseball Team reported to the Manchester Police that they suspected that the team manager/treasurer, Michael Walters, was misappropriating the monies that the players had raised from fundraising activities. This money was to be used to purchase equipment, pay entry fees for tournaments, and fund other team related expenses. The information about the theft came to their attention after learning that Walters was unable to make payment to a winner of one of the team’s fundraisers. The initial report was taken by Patrolman Marc Micciulla and both he and Detective Richard Jupinka conducted the follow-up investigation. After doing so, Michael Walters was charged with one count of theft by deception in excess of $6,500.00 and one count of issuing a bad check in excess of $500.00. Michael Walters was taken into custody at Manchester Police Headquarters on March 21, 2019, and subsequently transferred to the Ocean County Jail pending a court hearing.

This investigation is ongoing and there is a potential for additional charges. If you have any information regarding this incident please contact Detective Richard Jupinka at 732-657-2009 ext. 4206. If you would like to remain anonymous you can submit a tip to http://manchesterpolicenj.com/investigations-bureau/tip-line/

Featured

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.