The Ocean Signal | April 26th - May 10th, 2013
POLICE BLOTTER OCEAN COUNTY
On April 15, 2013 Officer’s from the Seaside Park Police Department along with Detective’s from the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group conducted a cooperative investigation into the illicit drug distribution activities of a Newark NJ man identified as Ibnballah Pitman. During the course of the investigation Detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop of Mr. Pittman who was an occupant of a 2001 White Honda Accord. The motor vehicle stop took place in the area of O Street and Central Avenue in Seaside Park NJ. The Officers obtained and executed a search warrant for the 2001 White Honda Accord. As a result of the search warrant police seized approximately 1000 bags of heroin from Mr. Pitman. The seized heroin has an approximate street value of $5,000. Ibnballah Pitman age 34 of 511 South 16th Street, Apartment #3 Newark NJ was arrested. Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the arrest of several individuals as a result of a cooperative multi-jurisdictional investigation conducted by the Prosecutor’s Special Operations Group, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Newark Division, the South Brunswick Police Department along with other state, county and local law enforcement agencies. The investigation, identified as “Operation Road Runner” began in August of 2012 and culminated on Friday April 5, 2013. Over a four day period beginning Tuesday April 2, 2013, Police executed search warrants in Ocean, Mercer, Essex and Monmouth counties resulting in the arrest of 25 area men and women on various drug, weapons and money laundering charges. Included among the arrestees was a Lavallette Police Dispatcher identified as Kathy Anne Graham age 57 of Toms River as well as an employee of the Manalapan School District identified as Shawn Hannon age 26 of Tinton Falls. Steven Rosado, age 21, of 254 Warren Avenue in Lakewood is charged with first degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a weapon, both third degree crimes and obstructing the administration of law, a fourth degree offense . He is currently being held in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $1 million dollars, cash only. Fernando Reyes, age 19, of 1416 Stark Street in Lakewood is charged with the third degree offense of hindering the apprehension of another. He is charged with assisting and accompanying Mr. Rosado during the trip from New Jersey to Florida. Mr. Reyes has posted bail. Jonathan Rosado, age 19, of 5 Pinehurst Drive in Lakewood is charged with the second degree offense of hindering the apprehension of another. Jennyfer Moncada, age 19, of 5 Pinehurst Drive in Lakewood is also
charged with the second degree crime of hindering the apprehension of another. Zahid Evans, age 24, of 1532 Chatham Drive in Toms River is also charged with the second degree crime of hindering the apprehension of another. New Jersey State Police arrested four people in connection with a commercial burglary ring that is believed to have been responsible for more than 20 burglaries, and used lookouts, two-way radios, and other means to avoid detection by law enforcement. On Friday, April 12, State Police detectives interviewed Francisco Chadwick, 25, of New Egypt, at the Ocean County Jail, where he was incarcerated for a drug court probation violation. Chadwick was then charged with six counts of Burglary and Theft for the burglaries that occurred in State Police patrolled areas. He remains in the Ocean County Jail on $150,000 full cash bail in reference to the new charges. Three coconspirators were interviewed and arrested Monday, April 15, at the Hamilton State Police Barracks. Heather Yesuvida, 24, of Cream Ridge, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of Burglary Tools she was lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $40,000 full cash bail. Walter Ivans, 22, of Cookstown was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $30,000 full cash bail. Adam Laczny was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $10,000 full cash bail.
BRICK-LAKEWOOD
On April 18a vehicle driven by Ronald DeFreitas was stopped in the parking lot of Drum Point School, 41 Drum Point Road. The vehicle had been stopped by the Brick Township Police Department for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. As Ptl. Nixon advised DeFreitas to exit the vehicle, DeFreitas reached to put the vehicle in drive and flee. Ptl. Nixon reached into the vehicle in an attempt to prevent him from doing so. DeFreitas was able to put the vehicle in drive and began to proceed eastbound in the parking lot, rapidly accelerating. Ptl. Nixon who was partially in the vehicle while attempting to prevent DeFreitas from fleeing, had latched onto the driver’s side door after the vehicle began dragging him. DeFreitas traveled for approximately 250 feet at a high rate of speed dragging Ptl. Nixon. DeFreitas then abruptly made a left turn causing Ptl. Nixon to be thrown from the vehicle onto the pavement. DeFreitas then drove over a curb and across the grass of school property before fleeing eastbound on
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Drum Point Road. Although injured, Ptl. Nixon returned to his vehicle and he and Sgt. Talty began to look for DeFreitas. A vehicle description was put out by dispatch. DeFreitas was located by Ptl. DeMaio #194 driving at a high rate of speed on Mantoloking Road eastbound. Ptl. DeMaio attempted to stop the vehicle with negative results. DeFreitas’ vehice reached speeds of up to 90 miles per hour. At that point the pursuit was terminated and a BOLO (Be on the Lookout Bulletin) was issued to surrounding towns for DeFreitas and the Ford F-150 described above. Shortly thereafter, the vehicle was located by the Lakewood Police Department, unoccupied on Airport Road. A search of the area was conducted and DeFreitas was located near the ramp of the Garden State Parkway. DeFreitas resisted arrest however was placed into custody without further incident. Following the apprehension of DeFreitas, Ptl. Nixon was transported by ambulance to Jersey Shore University Medical Center-Neptune, NJ to be treated for his injuries. DeFreitas was charged with Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault by Auto, Eluding,Resisting Arrest and multiple Motor Vehicle Charges. $150,000 no 10% bail was placed on DeFreitas. DeFreitas was transported to the Ocean County Jail. An ongoing investigation is being conducted by Ptl.Lampiasi of the Brick Township Police Department’s Traffic Safety Unit and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office. Additional charges are pending
OCEAN GATE
Sergeant Kristopher Ganley responded to a report of a theft on Newport Avenue. The victim reported that items had been removed from his vehicle during the overnight hours between Friday, April 19th and Saturday, April 20th. Items missing from the vehicle included $30 in change, a black metal buck knife, a cordless drill and $10 cash. Anyone with information regarding this incident or any other incidents may call the Ocean Gate Police Department at (732) 269-3166.
JACKSON
On Friday April 26, 2013 at 10:37 pm, Officers were dispatched to a report of a suspicious person. A member of the Jackson First Aid Squad had called to report he observed what appeared to be a male subject wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and mask hiding in some bushes in Bennetts Mills Plaza near the Lukoil Gas Station. Responding officers checked the area and located a subject which matched the description. The subject was observed wearing the gray sweatshirt with a hood pulled down over the top of his face and a dark cloth covering the lower portion of his face. When the of-
ficers arrived, he began walking away from the area on Bennetts Mills Road. As they exited their patrol cars to speak with him, he fled on foot from the officers. The male ran through the parking lot of the TD Bank on North Countyline Road and as he did, he was observed reaching into his waistband and throwing an object into landscape bushes at the bank. Officers pursued as the male then ran across North Countyline Road while disregarding their orders to stop. He ran into a wooded area behind the Century 21 building on North Countyline Road where the officers were then able to catch up with him. After a struggle in the woods behind the Century 21, officers were able to take the male into custody. Other officers who had responded to the incident checked the landscaping where the male was seen throwing an object away. They recovered a Crossman BB gun which resembled a semi automatic handgun. Police arrested Elijah Hinze, age 22, of Jackson. On April 25, officers responded to a report of a Burglary and Theft at the Monmouth Rehab Professionals located on West Countyline Road. It was reported that unknown person(s) made entry to the building and stole a laptop valued at $300.00; At 8:45 am, officers responded to the Magic Touch Cleaners on South New Prospect Road on the report of an Attempted Burglary. It was reported that unknown person(s) attempted to make entry to the business through a door but were unable to; At 11:33 am, officers responded to the Rite Aid on South Hope Chapel Road on the report of an Attempted Burglary. It was reported that unknown person(s) had attempted to make entry to the business through a door but were unable to. On April 26, officers responded to the report of a suspicious person in a vehicle in the parking lot of the Prospect Pointe Apartments on Brewers Bridge Road. Officers located the subject and during the investigation, recovered marijuana and a glass pipe. A 20 year old male resident of Jackson was placed under arrest and charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in a Motor Vehicle. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance; At 4:08 pm, officers responded to the Supergym on South New Prospect Road on the report of an Assault. During the investigation it was learned that a victim had been assaulted by another person with a ten pound dumbbell, causing injury which required medical attention. A 23 year old male resident was later arrested and charged with the assault. He was processed at headquarters and released after posting bond on the charges;At 10:40 pm, officers responded to the area of North Cooks Bridge Road on the report of a male and female arguing in the roadway. During the investigation, a 31 year old male was placed
under arrest and charged with Harassment. He was processed at headquarters and later lodged in the Ocean County Jail on $5,000.00 bail. On April 27, a resident of Bates Road called to report a suspicious person. It was reported that the caller had observed a male carrying a backpack near the caller’s vehicle and when the male was questioned, he walked away. At 6:12 am, a resident of Bennetts Mills Road reported a male in the caller’s yard. When the male was confronted, he claimed he was looking for a lost cell phone and left the area. The male was described as wearing a black baseball hat, dark blue hoodie, blue jeans and carrying a black back pack. Anyone observing any suspicious activity like this is asked to contact the Jackson Police at 732-928-1111; At 5:40 pm, officers responded to Six Flags Great Adventure on the report of a Theft. A resident of New York reported that a bag containing credit cards, money and cell phones were stolen from a locker at the park.; Officers responded to a residence on Ashford Road and arrested a 36 year old female on an outstanding warrant out of Ewing Township. She was processed and released after posting bail; At 8:35 pm, while conducting a motor vehicle stop on West Countyline Road, a Jackson Police patrol car was struck by a Toyota Camry driven by a 91 year old resident of Lakewood. The patrol car was parked on the side of the road with its emergency lights activated while conducting the traffic stop when the Toyota struck the front end of the car. There were no injuries received by the driver of the Toyota or the officer; At 10:35 pm, while checking on a vehicle parked in a wooded area in a parking lot for trail access on Frank Applegate Road, officers placed two juvenile males into custody. They were later charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. They were released to their parents. On April 28, officers responded to the report of a one vehicle motor vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. It was learned that the driver of the motorcycle had lost control of the bike and had crashed, receiving minor injuries. During the investigation, officers also recovered suspected marijuana and a glass pipe at the scene. The 24 year old male who was operating the motor cycle was charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was released on summons pending a court appearance; At 6:03 pm, officers responded to Bittersweet Drive on the report of a suspicious vehicle containing several people parked in the area. During the investigation, a 23 year old male resident of Jackson was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Jackson. He was processed and released after posting bail.
TOMS RIVER
After investigating a strong armed robbery on April 29th police arrested two men, Keith worthy, 22, with robbery and Pedro Valentin 22, of
with conspiracy to commit robbery. Both men were held on $50,000 bail no 10%. Investigation by Detective Roger Hull and Brian Lomer and Officer Charlie Grainger. Officer Mike Gallipoli is investigating the theft of a three foot white vinyl gate from a residence on Kenton drive on April 27. Unknown suspects entered the property and unbolted the gate from the fence and left with the gate and all the hardware for same. Officer Chris Leighton is investigating the Burglary of the First Baptist Church sometime over the weekend of April 26th. The unknown suspects entered through a basement window and removed over $6000 worth of property, including an Apple Mac Book and two guitars, a 1988 Les Paul and Yamaha Bass. On April 27th at 1 p.m. Detective Thomas Dimichele observed a suspicious 2002 Lexus on Main Street. As the Detective went to stop the vehicle the vehicle fled but was soon found at the Toms River Apartments and the driver fled into a wooded area but was quickly apprehended. The vehicle was stolen earlier in the week from a home on Division Street. Arrested was Barry Lewis 32 of 1041 Driftwood Avenue , Manahawkin. Assisting Detective Dimichele was Detective Roger Hull and Officer Carl Basile. Toms River Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian accident that occurred in the morning of April 27th at Route 37 and Oakridge parkway. An Earle dump truck being driving by John Walton ,37, of Neptune was westbound on Route 37 when it struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian, a 47 year old Minnesota man was crossing from south to north when he was struck and killed. John Smith, 54, of Pleasantville was driving a truck southbound on Bayview Drive in the Green Island section at on April 26th when his truck made contact with overhead utility wires. The wires then snapped a utility pole causing a power outage and blocking the roadway for over three hours. A vehicle struck a utility pole at Route 9 and Church Road at 7am on April 26th. There was one person injured with a leg injury. Power outages were reported in area, including traffic lights out along route 9 in Pleasant Plains. On April 24th, Toms River Police arrested Eric Scharff,22 ,Toms Rier just after midnight on April 24th after he was stopped in Ortley Beach by officers Tim Sysol and Al Dellabella who were on proactive anti looting patrol. The Officers observed Scharff driving a truck on Route 35 and a short time later located his unattended vehicle parked on Nichols avenue in Ortley Beach. Officers then located Mr. Scharff walking by the starlight Hotel. He was placed under arrest for a $250 outstanding warrant out of Tinton Falls. Subsequent investigation by the Officers and Detective John Turner discovered that over $10,000 worth of stolen property was recovered from the truck.
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