Berkeley Police Blotter, January 2022

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley Township police reported responding to the following incidents in January:

Jan. 1: Vehicle Fire. Patrolmen Joshua Foca and Brian Flanegan responded to a report of a vehicle fire at an Arlington Avenue home and found a truck engulfed in flames in the backyard. Bayville Volunteer Fire Company extinguished the fire. The owner of the vehicle said he was doing repairs on his truck when the flames broke out. The Berkeley Township Fire Official and Detective William Somers investigated and determined that no suspicious circumstances were present and the scene was deemed safe.

Jan. 4: Motor Vehicle Accident. Patrolmen Taylor Butler, Drew Fanara, Alex Houle and Johnny Medina responded to a motor vehicle crash at Robert J. Miller Air Park and found the vehicle had crashed through the fence at the north side of the runway. It was determined the driver had suffered a medical episode. The driver was taken to Community Medical Center for evaluation. The Ocean County Sheriff's Department made a report of the damage.

Jan. 11: First Aid. Patrolmen William Shoemaker and Evan Burton responded to a call of a female unconscious and not breathing in the parking lot at McDonald's. They determined she had choked and lost consciousness, and she had no pulse. First aid and with the patrolmen began lifesaving measures. They were able to restore her pulse and she was taken to Community Medical Center.

Jan. 18: Warrant Arrest. Patrolman Devon Tasso arrested Dusk Crescenzo 26, of Bayville. Crescenzo had warrants out of Brick for $500 for a suspended license and Sayreville for $500 for failure to appear. Crescenzo was taken to police headquarters where he was processed and released by both Brick and Sayreville courts pending future court dates.

Jan. 23: Warrant Arrests. Patrolman Sean Varady pulled over a blue 2005 Chevy Impala. The driver, Darnell Austin, 49, of Bayville, had multiple warrants for his arrest out of Ocean Township, Lakewood and Upper Freehold Township. The vehicle's owner, Kristen Austin, 41, of Bayville, who was a passenger, also had an outstanding warrant out of Ocean Township. Both were taken to the Ocean Township Police Department.

Jan. 24: Assault with an Auto. Patrolman Kyle Slocum, Patrolman Mikki Gable, Patrolman Josh Packen, Sgt. Michael O’Connor and Sgt. Patrick Colletti responded to a report of a pedestrian struck at MJ's, 699 Bay Blvd. The victim had been hit by a silver Ford pick-up truck and had injuries to her legs and back. EMS took the victim to Southern Ocean Medical Center for treatment. Camera footage of the incident was obtained and after further investigation, Daniel Corbino, 41, of Ocean Gate was charged with Assault by Auto with injuries, reckless driving, careless driving, leaving the scene and failure to report an accident. Corbino was released pending a future court date.

Jan. 28: Structure Fire. Patrolmen Shane Leighton and Michael Sasso responded to a report of a structure fire at a home on Wheaton Avenue. Upon arrival, all residents were safely out of the home. Station 17 Fire Department arrived and determined the fire had been extinguished. Detective Michael Tier, the Ocean County Fire Marshall and the Township Fire Official investigated and determined the fire originated from the wood-burning stove. The homeowner had a pile of firewood next to the stove, which then caught fire. The homeowner was able to extinguish the fire with the outdoor hose. The fire was deemed accidental and the residents were able to return home.

Jan. 31: Theft. Officer Andrew Picinic took a report of a theft at a home on Puerto Vallarta Street. The homeowner stated he had left his snow blower on the street in front of his driveway. Approximately 30 minutes later he went back to retrieve the snow blower and it was missing. Video footage was obtained from a resident in the neighborhood. This incident is currently under investigation.