Warrant Arrests, DWI, Fire Calls: Berkeley Police Blotter

BERKELEY, NJ — The Berkeley Township Police Department responded to the following incidents in November, Police Chief Karin DiMichele said.

The incidents include warrant arrests, a drunk driving arrest and other calls.

NOV. 9: Patrolman Steven Kappock arrested Danielle Bressman, 37, of Moorage Avenue, on the strength of an active no-bail warrant out of Berkeley. Bressman was taken to the Ocean County Jail.

NOV. 10: Berkeley Police and the Manitou Park Fire Company responded to the 100 block of Norwich Drive for a garage fire. A small engine fire in a vehicle was extinguished without the fire spreading to the structure of the residence. The investigation determined the fire was ignited accidentally while the vehicle was being repaired. There were no injuries.

NOV. 10: Patrolman Michael Drybola and Patrolman Christopher Elliott responded to the Bayville Walgreens for a shoplifting report. Christine Sandella, 35, of Camden, was arrested and charged with shoplifting. The investigation determined Sandella had stolen merchandise worth $433.79. She was taken to the Ocean County Jail.

NOV. 11: Police responded to the 500 block of Route 9 for a reported motor vehicle burglary. An unlocked vehicle was entered and about $10 in loose change, a Garmin GPS, and a cell phone charger were stolen. Officers conducted a canvass of the area for witnesses, suspects, and further evidence with negative results. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 732-341-1132 ext. 611. TIPS can be anonymous. We would also like to encourage all residents to double check their vehicles to make sure they are locked prior to going to bed at night. This simple action may help prevent you from becoming a victim!

NOV. 13: Patrolman Sean Varady arrested Matthew Safran, 39, of Carver Street, on a failure to appear warrant out of Millstone for $300. Safran was released on his own recognizance upon posting bail.

NOV. 14: Patrolman Johnny Medina and Patrolman Steven Kappock arrested James P. Gannon, 65, of Sloop Creek Road, on multiple traffic warrants out of this jurisdiction. James was processed at Police H.Q. and released on his own recognizance with a new court date set.

NOV. 15: Police responded to a residence on the 100 block of Fifth Street to investigate a report of vandalism. The investigation showed people had entered a home that was unoccupied and undergoing renovations on several occasions and vandalized it. The damage to that point was was isolated to nine windows. The incident remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact police at 732-341-1132, ext. 611. TIPS can be anonymous.

NOV. 16: Patrolman DJ Williams and Patrolman William Shoemaker responded to 370 Route 9 (Dollar General) and arrested Anna D. Lamendola, 37 of Brick Township, on a charge of shoplifting. She was released on a summons with a court date set.

NOV. 16: Patrolman Tyler Shan and Patrolman Brian Flanegan arrested Enrique Luzon, 37, of Lakewood, on a failure to appear warrant out of Lakewood for $750. Luzon was taken to the Ocean County Jail at the request of Lakewood authorities.

NOV. 16: Police and the Bayville Fire Company responded to the 100 block of Carlyle Drive to investigate a reported car fire. Officers found an unoccupied parked car on fire; the fire was eventually extinguished and investigators found the fire was accidental. The vehicle sustained heavy fire and water damage to the passenger compartment area.

NOV. 17: Police responded to a structure fire (the address was not given in the blotter report) and found the house on fire and reported heavy smoke in the area. Bayville Fire Company, Pinewald Fire Company, and Forked River Fire Company arrived and extinguished the fire. Investigators determined the fire was accidental and was ignited due to a faulty repair to a furnace. The house was unoccupied during the fire and there were no injuries.

NOV. 18: Patrolman Jacob Camaraza saw a blue 2018 Hyundai Elantra with New Jersey plates driving in a careless manner on Route 9 near the intersection of Gladney Avenue. Camavaza was able to catch up to the car and followed it as it continued south on Route 9, and saw the car swerving over the center line of the road and into the lane of oncoming traffic. He pulled the car over on Ocean Gate Drive near Henry Street to check on the driver. Camaraza reported the driver had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath as he spoke to him along with other signs of impairment. Standardized field sobriety tests were later requested and performed which resulted in the arrest of Thomas C. Ragno, 62, of Ocean Gate, for driving while intoxicated. Ragno was later released to the care of a family friend. In addition to the DWI arrest, Ragno was issued a summons for reckless driving, careless driving, and failure to maintain lane. His vehicle was impounded as per John’s Law.

NOV. 18: Police responded to a residence on the 100 block of Woodland Road to investigate a reported criminal mischief to a residence and vehicle. The investigation showed someone entered the property and spraypainted the house and a vehicle that was parked in the driveway. Officers on scene conducted a canvass of the area for witnesses, additional victims, and evidence with negative results. This incident remains under investigation and we are asking anyone with information to contact the police at 732-341-1132, ext. 611. TIPS can be anonymous.

NOV. 18: Patrolman Alexander Houle arrested Victor Ponaski, 28, of Toms River, on a child neglect warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department for $1,026. Ponaski was taken to the Ocean County Jail.

NOV. 19: Patrolman Justin Heffernan arrested Thomas W.Tierney Jr., 30, of Ford Avenue, on a failure to appear warrant out of Brick Township for $946. Tierney released on his own recognizance by the originating authority.

NOV. 20: Police responded to the 100 block of 2nd Lane for a motor vehicle burglary. An unlocked vehicle was entered and a GPS was stolen. Officers on scene conducted a canvass of the area for witnesses, suspects, and further evidence with negative results. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 732-341-1132, ext. 611. TIPS can be anonymous. We would also like to encourage all residents to double check their vehicles to make sure they are locked prior to going to bed at night. This simple action may help prevent you from becoming a victim!

NOV. 25: Patrolman Jacob Camaraza arrested Rachel Cole, 30, of South Toms River, on a child neglect warrant out of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Cole was taken to the Ocean County Jail.

#9pmroutine.: Berkeley Township Police are urging residents to follow their new public awareness campaign called #9pmroutine. Each night at 9 p.m. the department is posting clever or funny reminder on its Facebook and Twitter accounts to remind residents to lock car doors. "This program was started in the South and has met with great success," DiMichele said. "We look forward to your feedback on our social media pages." They are on Facebook at Berkeley Township Police Department and on Twitter @BerkeleyPDNj

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Photo by Renee Schiavone, Patch staff