Berkeley Police Log: Car Burglaries, DWI, Aggravated Assault

BERKELEY, NJ — Berkeley police released their activity report for Aug. 28 to Sept. 17. All incidents are merely accusations, and those accused are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. Here is their unedited log:

Police Blotter August 28th through September 17th, 2019

Arrest (Shoplifting) – On August 29, 2019, Patrolman Brian Flanegan and Patrolman Robert Murawski responded to 720 Rt.9/Dollar General for a report of a Shoplifter. Nicole Sendner, 31 of Seaside Heights, was found with $31.50 worth of clothing concealed in her purse. Sendner was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters where she was processed. Sendner was released on summons pending court date.

Arrest (Theft) – On August 30, 2019, Patrolman Michael Sasso, Patrolman Ryan Wahl and Patrolman Richard Zieser responded to a call from Rite Aid Loss Prevention for a report of an employee stealing money. Dennis Depiano, 19 of Bayville, was found stealing money ($792.00) from the register after returning items that were never bought. Depiano was placed under arrest and charged with Theft. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released on summons pending court date.

Animal Bite – On August 30, 2019, Patrolman Michael Zilavetz, Patrolman Jacob Camaraza, Patrolman Brian Flanegan, Patrolman Shane Leighton, Patrolman Thomas Eichen and Patrolman Ryan Drivanos responded to Bittern Lane for a report of a dog bite. Upon arrival, officers located a female lying in the hallway with a significant bite to her upper thigh and superficial bite marks to her arm.

Patrolman Camaraza applied a tourniquet to the victim’s thigh. Bayville First Aid arrived on scene. Due to the extent of the victim’s injuries, a medevac was requested. The victim was airlifted to Jersey Shore Medical Center. Berkeley Township Animal Control took custody of the dog. The dog will be on mandatory 10 day quarantine.
Arrest (Warrant) – On August 31, 2019, Patrolman Ryan Wahl responded to the Toms River Police Department where Kevin Downs, 26 of Browns Mills, was arrested on strength of Berkeley Township Warrant for Criminal Mischief and Harassment. Downs was processed and remanded to OCJ.

Arrest (Simple Assault) – On September 2, 2019, Sgt. Damon Papa, Patrolman Warren Black, Patrolman Rodney Flanegan, Patrolman Tyler Shan and Patrolman Christopher Walters responded to 220 Ocean Gate Drive/Circle K for a report of a fight between 3 males. Edward Isaksen, 31 of Bayville, was charged with Simple Assault and Driving While Suspended. Isaksen was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released on summons pending court date.

Arrest (DWI) – On September 3, 2019, Patrolman Justin Heffernan, Patrolman Taylor Butler and Officer Salvatore Falcone performed a motor vehicle stop on a vehicle driving erratically on Rt.37 and Catalina Ave. Crystal Klein, 34 of Forked River, was arrested for DWI. Klein was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving and Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing. Klein was released pending court date. The vehicle was impounded per John’s Law.

Arrest (Disorderly Conduct) On September 4, 2019, Patrolman Christopher Elliott, Patrolman Michael Sasso, Patrolman Tyler Shan, Patrolman Christopher Walters, Sgt. William Cullen and Lt. Ryan Roth responded to a report of males fighting in the area of 445 Rt.9 (Shoprite) Kevin Ohara 37, of Bayville, was found engaging a fight with 2 other males. Ohara refused to be detained and attempted to flee the scene. Ohara was taken into custody and was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and charged with Obstruction of the administration of law and Disorderly Conduct. Ohara was released pending a court date.

Arrest (Possession) On September 8, 2019, Patrolman Jacob Camaraza conducted a motor vehicle stop in the parking lot of 768 Rt.9 (Quick Check). Further investigation revealed that the passenger, Shaddidy Whittaker 29, of Bayville, was in Possession of Marijuana. In addition the driver of the vehicle, Caysey Jackson 22, of Beachwood, was issued summons for loud Exhaust and CDS in a motor vehicle.
Whittaker was processed and remanded to OCJ in accordance with Bail Reform.

Arrest (Possession of Paraphernalia) On September 9, 2019, Patrolman Johnny Medina conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Jamaica Blvd. The driver, Lyman Coleman 40, of Toms River, was issued summons for Driving While Suspended and Maintenance of Lamps. Coleman was placed under arrest for active Warrants out of Toms River. He was transported and processed accordingly.

The passenger, Daina Mcintire 28, of Manahawkin, was attempting to leave the stop. Patrolman Jacob Camaraza and Patrolman Robert Kennedy arrived on scene. After further investigation, Mcintire was placed under arrest for Possession of 2 Hypodermic Syringes. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and remanded to OCJ in accordance with Bail Reform.

Car Fire – On September 9, 2019, Patrolman Justin Heffernan, Patrolman James Tillett and Sgt. Jerry Bacon responded to Pinewald-Keswick Rd. for a report of a fully engulfed vehicle fire. Station 20 arrived on scene and extinguished the 2003 Ford pickup. Traffic was temporarily diverted. Detective William Somers arrived on location with the Ocean County Fire Marshall. No injuries were reported.

Arrest (Aggravated Assault) – On September 12, 2019, Patrolman Nick Bondulich and Patrolman Robert Murawski responded to Redhook Bay Drive for a report of a male with a shotgun. Daryl Ricker 71, of Berkeley Township, was pointing his shotgun at a landscaping company working on his neighbors trees. Ricker got into an argument with the workers about the tree debris falling on his property. Ricker was placed under arrest for Aggravated Assault. He was transported to headquarters where he was processed and released on a summons pending court date.

First Aid – On September 14, 2019, Sgt. Jason Malley, Patrolman Brian Flanegan and Patrolman Rick Zieser responded to 11 Whitecap Way/Waters Edge, for a 55 year old unconscious male not breathing. Sgt. Malley and Patrolman Flanegan were performing CPR along with two civilians, an off-duty paramedic and a nurse practitioner. The unconscious male was attending a family members wedding at the venue. Berkeley First Aid Squad 554 also assisted. After several minutes a pulse was regained and the man began to breathe on his own. The victim was transported to CMC. At this time the status of the victim is unknown.

Arrest (Burglary of a Motor Vehicle) – On September 14, 2019, Patrolman Nick Bondulich was dispatched to 912 Rt.9/Bayville Auto for an attempted break in of a motor vehicle. Upon arrival, a black male wearing a white shirt was located in the back lot with a crow bar attempting to make entry to a truck. After the Patrolman identified himself the suspect took off on foot over the fence and through the woods. After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was apprehended. Detective William Somers arrived and processed the scene. Glenwood Kearney 43, of Vineland, was arrested and transported to headquarters where he was processed and charged with Burglary of a Motor Vehicle, Criminal Trespass, Burglars Tools, Resisting Arrest and Warrant Arrest. Kearny was remanded to OCJ.

MV Burglary – On September 16, 2019, Patrolman Christopher Walters responded to Coolidge Ave. for a report of a motor vehicle burglary. Detective Lieutenant Peter La Rocca and Detective Michael Riccardelli responded to the scene. A car seat and phone charger was taken from the unlocked vehicle. Video footage was obtained. This incident is currently under investigation. Anyone with any information is asked to call Detective Michael Riccardelli at (732)341-1132 Ext. 2136.

MV Burglaries – On September 16, 2019, Patrolman responded to multiple reports of motor vehicle burglaries on Sand Bar Drive, Pelican Point and North Island Rd. Various items were stolen from the unlocked vehicles. Detective Lieutenant Peter La Rocca and Detective Michael Riccardelli responded and collected video footage and process the scene. These burglaries are currently under investigation and anyone with information is urged to call Detective Michael Riccardelli at (732)341-1132 Ext. 2136. These burglaries were to unlocked vehicles. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Berkeley Township Police Department Tip line at 732-341-1132 x611 or tips@btpdnj.org. Tips can be anonymous.

Arrest (Robbery and multiple Burglaries) –September 17, 2019
During the months of June 2019 through September 2019 the Berkeley Township Detective Bureau and Patrol Division investigated a series of burglaries which occurred at businesses along Route 9. These burglaries occurred in the middle of the night and involved forced entry. Money and other valuables were taken in the course of these burglaries.

As a result of this investigation Berkeley Detectives collaborated with neighboring agencies to attempt to identify patterns and to identify suspects. This collaboration involved detectives from Lacey Township, Manchester Township, Toms River Township, Beachwood Borough and Ocean Gate Borough.

This effort resulted in the identification of a suspect, Christopher Butler 32 of Bayville NJ. In addition, several vehicles suspected to have been used in these crimes were identified.

On September 15th 2019 the Berkeley Township Police responded to a residence for a report of an intruder in the home. The victim was awakened to find the man rummaging through her belongings. The victim confronted the intruder who then assaulted her as he fled the area. The victim was able to gather key evidence linking Butler to this robbery. As a result Berkeley Detectives issued an arrest warrant for Butler. A coordinated effort to locate him was launched but he was unable to be located at that time.

On September 16th 2019 the Berkeley Township Police responded to two commercial burglaries on Route 9. These businesses were in the same complex. The businesses were forcibly entered and valuables to include money and jewelry were taken. Berkeley Detectives were able to successfully link evidence from the crime scene at these burglaries to Christopher Butler. As a result, additional charges of burglary and theft and criminal Mischief were signed against Butler.

Butler was located by the Lakewood Township Police on September 16th and arrested for the outstanding Berkeley Township warrants. Butler was turned over to the Berkeley Township Police Department where he was processed and remanded to the Ocean County Jail.

It should be noted the more charges are likely against Butler as evidence is gathered and processed as he is suspected in multiple burglaries throughout Ocean County.
Leading the investigation for Berkeley Township is Detective Joseph Santoro and Detective William Somers assisted by Detective Lieutenant Peter La Rocca, Detective Michael Riccardelli, Detective Michael O’Connor, Detective Michael Tier and Detective Shawn Bowens.

The Berkeley Township Police would like to acknowledge the efforts of the neighboring jurisdictions in the successful conclusion to this investigation. Detective Brian Flynn, Detective Keith Pierce and Detective Kim Gudgeon of Lacey Township, Detective Sergeant Christopher Hemhauser , Detective Adam Guker and Detective Joseph Fastige of Manchester, Detective Lou Santora, Detective Mark Bajada, Detective John Turner and Detective Roger Hull and Detective Patrick Jacques of Toms River, Sergeant Vincent La Rocca and Detective Steven Shan of Ocean Gate, Detective Al Magory, Detective David Bowden and Captain Glen Demarco of Beachwood, the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department and the Little Egg Harbor Police Department.

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