Current News
11/18/08
Armed Robbery Suspect Captured
On 11/17, Barnegat police charged Thomas Beers Jr., 23, of Barnegat with the armed robbery that occurred at the Riggins gas station on 11/9.
Through the course of an intensive investigation by the Investigative Division, it was learned that Beers may have been responsible for the robbery. Detectives conducted an interview during which Beers admitted to committing the robbery with a flare gun. Beers also admitted to attempting to gain entry to the Country Farms on West Bay Avenue by using a screwdriver in an attempt to pry open the rear door.
Beers was charged with 1st Degree Robbery, Aggravated Assault, Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose, Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, and Theft for the Riggins robbery. He was further charged with Burglary and Criminal Mischief for the Country Farms incident. He was lodged in Ocean County Jail on $165,000 bail.
On 11/16 at 1:53 pm, Ptl. Robert Armstrong stopped a vehicle being operated by Robert Smith, 37, of Waretown for failing to maintain his lane of travel. Smith was ultimately arrested for DWI.
On 11/12 at 10:44 pm, Ptl. Greg Martinez arrested Nicholas Vitelle, 18, of Pt Pleasant for an outstanding warrant of $166 out of Freehold Twp and Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams. The arrest stemmed from a motor vehicle stop.
On 11/8 at 12:34 am, Ptl. Robert Armstrong arrested Daniel Cavanaugh, 21, of Barnegat for DWI during an investigation into a disturbance outside of the Spirits liquor store on Rt 9. During the arrest Cavanaugh was also found to be in possession of marijuana. He was charged with DWI, Possession of Drugs in a Motor Vehicle, and Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams.
11/7/08
A link to Barnegat Township's new municipal website has been added to the Resources page.
11/6/08
On 10/31 Detective William Hetrick charged 18 year old James Studer Jr. of Manahawkin with Theft after an investigation revealed that Studer was responsible for the theft of a $1,200 custom bicycle from Sloop Ct in Barnegat on 9/24.
On 10/30 at 7:48 pm, Ptl. George Martin was investigating a suspicious person on Beverly Drive. After identifying the individual as Sean Decicco, 23, of Barnegat, Ptl. Martin discovered that Decicco was in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Decicco was arrested and charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
11/4/08
On November 3rd officers responded to a Tuckerton Avenue residence after the department was contacted by a resident who indicated that he wanted to harm himself.
The subject claimed to be armed with a compound bow and refused to come out of the residence.
In accordance with standard protocol, officers established a perimeter while department communications personnel and crisis negotiators maintained telephone contact with the subject.
As a precaution, traffic on Bengal Blvd was redirected around the scene while adjoining residences were evacuated.
The Ocean County Southern Regional SWAT team responded to the scene as well as members of the Ocean County Regional Sniper Team and negotiators from the Ocean County Sheriff's Department.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Department Mobile Command Unit was also brought to the scene to provide communications support and serve as a command post.
After nearly 4 hours of negotiations, it was determined that it was unlikely that the subject would voluntarily exit the residence.
At that time the SWAT team initiated entry into the residence and took the subject into protective custody. The subject was transported to Southern Ocean County Hospital for evaluation.
Neither the subject nor any officers were injured during the event.
The department would like to extend thanks and appreciation to members of the following agencies who dedicated resources to this event through the SWAT team, sniper team, or communications function:
Ocean County Sheriff's Department, Stafford PD, Little Egg Harbor PD, Manchester PD, and Jackson PD.
10/27/08
The department statistical summary for September has been posted on the department statistics page.
10/19/08
Crime Rate Down Over 16%
The department has completed a review of Barnegat's index crime and crime rate statistics as reported in the 2007 Uniform Crime Report which was recently released by the New Jersey State Police. A summary of the review has been placed on the Resources page.
10/17/08
On 8/17/08 at 7:57 am, a vehicle being operated by Teena Amador of Manahawkin was driving eastbound on West Bay Ave near Lighthouse Dr when she struck a curb that had been newly extended from the side of the roadway as a result of the new road construction. Amador's vehicle came to rest in the eastbound lane of the parkway overpass resulting in traffic flow being reduced to alternating east/west flow in the passable portion of the westbound lane for approximately 30 minutes. The investigation revealed that a contributing factor to the accident was sun glare which impaired Amador's ability to see the curb in its new position.
Monitoring of the morning traffic flow by the Traffic Safety Unit and department officers showed that the traffic backup during the morning commute time was a result of the one car collision and not due to the road construction or traffic pattern.
On 10/8/08, at 9:46 the department's Investigative Division along with the Ocean County South Regional SWAT Team executed a search warrant at 15 Barnegat Blvd. As a result of the search, Flavio Silva, 29, was arrested and charged with 3rd Degree Possession of Oxycodone, 3rd Degree Hindering Apprehension, 3rd Degree Exhibiting a False Drivers License, and 2nd Degree Utilizing the Personal Information of Another. Silva was lodged in Ocean County Jail on $60,000 bail.
10/14/08
*** The department is aware of the traffic concerns on West Bay Ave due to the road construction taking place in the area of Lighthouse Drive and the parkway. Officers are evaluating the situation and will do all that is possible to minimize the increased congestion inherent in such roadwork situations***
The department is accepting applications for the position of part-time crossing guard. The position will involve no more than 25 hours per week with starting pay of $10/hour. Interested parties can download and print an application from the Resources page . Completed applications may be mailed to the attention of Lieutenant Patrick Shaffery at the police department or dropped off in person.
On 10/8 at 1:28 pm, police were called to the Barnegat branch of the Ocean County Library for a report of a suspicious package. Upon arrival, officers were directed to a locked suitcase which was on the sidewalk near the library book drop.
Officers evacuated the library and surrounding homes and requested the Ocean County Sheriff's Department K-9 unit as well as the New Jersey State Police Bomb Squad.
The NJSP Bomb Squad troopers were able to determine that the suitcase was safe. The Sheriff's Department K-9 unit then checked the surrounding area as well as the interior of the library before allowing patrons to return.
10/07/08
The department statistical summary for August has been posted on the Department Statistics page .
On 10/3 at 8:55 pm, Ptl. George Martin and Ptl. Greg Martinez were conducting a proactive surveillance detail at the Beverly Drive Park. During the detail, the officers made observations that led to the encounter and arrest of Eric May, 24, of South Amboy and Lawrence Ruziecki, 24, of Edison for Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Distribute, and Possession of CDS with the Intent to Distribute within 500 feet of a Public Park.
Both were lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $75,000 bail.
10/05/08
On 10/2 at 11:49 pm, Glenn Howell, 31, of Tuckerton was arrested for DWI after his car was stopped for failing to maintain lane on Bayshore Dr. Ptl. Brian Weber arrested Howell and charged him with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failing to Maintain Laner, and Possession of Open Alcohol Container.
On 10/1 at 8:28 pm, Ptl. Jeff Ryan arrested Jennifer Coker, 49, of Barnegat for an outstanding warrant out of East Orange, NJ. Coker was unable to post the $2,000 bail and was turned over to the East Orange Police Department.
09/29/08
On 09/26 at 11:57 p.m. Ptl. Brian Weber stopped a vehicle being operated by Albert Smith, 77of barnegat, on Rt. 9 for impeding the flow of travel. Ptl. Weber determined that smith was under the influence and he was arrested for DWI. Smith was released after being charged with DWI, Reckless driving, and impeding the flow of travel.
09/27/08
On 09/27 at 3:13 p.m. Jennifer Theis-Alston, 38 of Mt. Laurel N.J., was arrested for DWI by Ptl. Andrew Parsley after the vehicle Theis-Alston was operating was stopped for failing to use a turn signal. Theis-Alston was released from custody after being charged with DWI, Reckless driving, and failing to use a turn signal.
9/26/08
On 9/19 at 11:43 pm, Ptl. Chris Steins stopped a motor vehicle being operated on Gunning River Rd by Vincent Scala, 19, of Fairfield, NJ. Developments during the stop led to the arrest of Scala for Possession of Marijuana. Scala was charged and released.
9/23/08
On 9/22 at 4:58 pm, officers investigated an erratic driver complaint which led to the Rite Aid parking lot on West Bay Ave. Ptl. Anthony King encountered a vehicle operated by Carlo Zalewski Jr., 42, of Barnegat and ultimately arrested him for DWI. Zalewski was charged with DWI and Reckless Driving.
On 9/20 there were two separate hit and run accidents. At 5:50 pm, a silver Saturn Vue struck a speed limit sign on Pennsylvania Ave.
At 9:49 pm, a black Mitsubishi Eclipse was struck while parked on Village Dr. If anyone has information regarding these collisions, please call the tips line at 660-TIPS or click the Tip Line icon on this website.
On 9/20 at 2:46 am, officers responded to the area of Bowline St and Village Dr for a report of a vehicle impacting a curb. When officers arrived, the vehicle owner had already fled the scene on foot, leaving the vehicle behind. Through their investigation, the officers were able to identify and locate the driver who was arrested for DWI. The driver, Michael Mull, 18, of Vineland was charged wih DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Report and Accident, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
9/18/08
On 9/17 at 7:59 pm, Ptl. Brian Weber responded to a report of a 57 year old female in respiratory distress. Upon arrival, Ptl. Weber found the victim was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Ptl. Weber immediately started CPR and requested backup. Backup officers arrived and worked to save the victim using CPR and a defibrilator. Officers were able to restore the victim's heartbeat and breathing.
The Responding officers were patrolmen Michael Diblasi, Nicholas Venuto, Alex Hoffman, and newly hired officer Joseph Stanziano who admnistered chest compressions and will be credited with a CPR save on his first day of work with the department.
The victim was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover.
On 9/17 at 1:17 am, Ptl. Greg Martinez observed a vehicle disregard a red traffic signal on Route 9 at Barnegat Blvd. The driver, Scott Phillipps, 41, of Barnegat was arrested for DWI and additionally charged with Reckless Driving, Speeding, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Observe a Traffic Control Device, and Driving with a Suspended License.
On 9/16 at 9:34 pm, Ptl. Greg Martinez was investigating a disturbance on Colonial Ct which led to the arrest of Alisha Belson, 33, of Surf City for DWI. Belson was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Submit to Breath Tests.
9/17/08
The department is pleased to announce the hiring of Joseph Stanziano and Michael DeFluri as full-time patrolmen.
Stanziano and DeFluri were the highest scoring candidates amongst over 200 applicants who underwent a thorough and rigorous testing process to become Barnegat police officers.
Stanziano is a 24 year old Barnegat resident who previously graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy and served as a Class II Special Officer with the Long Beach Township Police Department.
DeFluri is a 24 year old Brick resident who previously graduated from the Ocean County Police Academy and served as a Class II Special Officer with the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department.
Both officers will now undergo a 9 week Field Training and Evaluation Program. Upon successful completion of the program they will assume full duties within the Patrol Division.
9/11/08
Officers were called to the township water tower property after township employees discovered that someone had cut through the perimeter fencing and stolen 500 brass water meters valued at $27,500. Ptl. Jeff Ryan took the initial report for the incident which is being investigated by detectives.
9/10/08
On 9/8 at 7:15 pm, Ptl. Julie Yakes and Ptl. Alex Hoffman responded to a report of a burglarized home in the Pebble Beach development. Officers found that someone had forced entry into the home, however, nothing was stolen as the house was undergoing renovations and was empty. Det. William Sierchio processed the crime scene for evidence.
On 9/7 at 7:48 pm, Ptl. Alex Hoffman and Ptl. Greg Martinez responded to the Atlantic Heights apartment complex for a report of a disturbance. During their investigation, officers made contact with Kenneth Allebach Jr., 43, of Seaside Heights. Allebach initially provided officers with a false name in an attempt to avoid arrest for an outstanding warrant. Allebach was arrested and charged with Hindering Apprehension and Obstructing the Administration of Law. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $10,000 bail.
On 9/5 at 10:39 pm, Ptl. Tom Behrens arrested Maryanne Bennett, 40, of Little Egg Harbor for DWI. Bennett was stopped for failing to maintain her lane of travel. She was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane of Travel.
9/4/08
On 9/2 at 10:08 pm, officers responded to the Atlantic Heights apartment complex for a disturbance. Officers on scene encountered an individual who provided a false name in the attempt to avoid arrest for outstanding warrants. Officers Alex Hoffman and George Martin had dealt with the subject in the past and identified him as James Stanley, 36, of Barnegat. Stanley was arrested for Obstructing the Administration of Law, Hindering Apprehension, and six outstanding warrants totalling $1,400. He was lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $10,000 bail for the Obstruction and Hindering offenses.
On 8/31 at 10:07 pm, officers responded to Mediterranean Ct for a report of a suspicious vehicle. Ptl. Greg Martinez's investigation resulted in the arrest of Timothy Walling, 21, of Tinton Falls for DWI.
On 9/1 at 6:05 pm, officers responded to Ridgeway St for a disturbance call. During the investigation Ptl. Brian Weber arrested Kathleen Gunnell, 47, of Barnegat for an outstanding warrant out of Stafford township. Gunnell was subsequentl;y found to be in possession of marijuana and was charged with same.
On 8/29 at 6:51 am, officers were called to the Freedom Hills section for a report of the theft of 25 aluminum concrete pouring forms. An anonymous citizen took pictures of the crime in progress. The photos showed two individuals loading the forms into the back of a pickup truck. Approximately 5 hours later, Sgt. Wayne Eslinger located a pickup truck in the Settlers Landing development which matched the truck in the photograph. The ensuing investigation led to the arrests of James Minarik, 29, of Barnegat and David White, 55, of Barnegat.
The investigation was conducted by Lt. Joseph Bogdany, Sgt. Edward Smith, Sgt. Wayne Eslinger, Det. William Hetrick, and Ptl. incent Damiano.
Both suspects were charged with Theft for this incident. Minarik was charged with four additional counts of Theft for the theft of aluminum forms from Freedom Hills, High Pointe at Barnegat, and Carriage Estates sections of town.
Minarik and White were lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $25,000 and $15,000 bail respectively.
8/29/08
On 8/29 at 1:51 am, Ptl. Robert Armstrong arrested Alisha Belson, 33, of Forked River for DWI. Ptl. Armstrong had responded to the Barnegat Municipal Dock for a report of an intoxicated motorist. Belson was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Driving with a Suspended License.
