Bar Fight, Drunken Drivers: Lacey Police Blotter

LACEY, NJ — A woman assaulted a man at a bar, a dirt bike was stolen and more during December, according to the Lacey Township police blotter.

The monthly blotter outlines the various incidents police responded to in that time period.

Here is the December police blotter, courtesy of Lacey police and unedited by Patch.

Nature: Obstruction/Resisting Arrest
On December 2, 2024, at approximately 11:33 hours Officer Tirella and Officer Carver responded to Popeye’s, 346 North Main Street, for a report of a suspicious male. Officers made contact with 38 year old, Christopher Marsillo of Freehold. While officers were speaking with him outside of the store Christopher fled. After a short foot pursuit, Christopher was apprehended and arrested. It was discovered that Christopher had (2) warrants for his arrest. Christopher was charged with obstructing and resisting and transported to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: DWI
On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 17:09 hours Officer Tirella and Officer Nilon were dispatched to Lake Barnegat Drive North for a report of a pedestrian struck. The pedestrian was retrieving her mail, when she was struck by a vehicle, operated by 44 year old, Kathleen Colaio of Forked River. The pedestrian was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The Ocean County Prosecutors Office, Ocean County Crime Scene Investigation Unit and Officer Hyle of the Lacey Township Fatal Accident Support Team responded to assist. Kathleen was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Kathleen was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane and Open Container of Alcohol. Additional criminal charges are pending. Kathleen was released to a family member in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: MV Burglary
Location: Deerhead Lake Drive
On Tuesday, December 03, 2024, at 05:10 hours, several officers, including Officer Spina, responded to a residence on Deerhead Lake Drive for a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. Contact was made with the owner of the vehicle who reported that he and his wife awoke to discover the back hatch to their 2024 Mazda was open. Surveillance video was obtained and the investigation is ongoing.

Nature: Warrant Arrest
Location: Police Headquarters
On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at 22:47 hours, 25 year old, Wilmer Abreu-Melendez of Camden, was arrested for an active warrant issued out of Lacey Township for forgery and theft by deception. Wilmer was processed and transported to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: DWI
Location: Eagleswood Place & Alpine Street
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 16:13 hours, Lt. McKee conducted a motor vehicle stop on a Nissan Altima for failure to maintain lane. Contact was made with the driver, 64 year old, Lorraine Bacchetta of Forked River. Based on the investigation Lorraine was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Lorraine was transported to headquarters where she was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Refusal to Submit Breath Samples and Failure to Maintain Lane. Lorraine was released to her boyfriend in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: DWI
Location: Caffrey's, 440 South Main Street
On Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 18:41 hours, Officer Labbate and Officer Gant responded to Caffrey's, 440 South Main Street for a report of a male slumped forward on the steering wheel. Upon arrival Officers located a 1999 Ford Ranger idling, with the driver, 30 year old, Thomas Farrington of Barnegat, sleeping behind the wheel. Based on the investigation Thomas was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Thomas was transported to headquarters where he was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Open Container of Alcohol, Consumption of Alcohol in MV, and Expired Driver’s License. Thomas was released to a friend in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Warrant Arrest
Location: Wawa, 701 N Main Street
On Sunday, December 08, 2024, at 2205 hours, several officers, including Officer Triano, responded to the Wawa, 701 N Main Street, to locate Megan Waiton, of Lanoka Harbor, who had a warrant issued out of the Ocean County Sheriff's Office. Contact was made with Megan and she was arrested. Megan was subsequently transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Nature: DWI
Location: Lacey Road and Newark Ave
On Wednesday December 11, 2024 at 12:06 hours, multiple officers responded to Lacey Road in front of Weichert, 1020 Lacey Road, for a report of a single car motor vehicle crash into a utility pole. Upon arrival the officers located a 2004 Chevrolet pickup, disabled in front of a telephone pole. Based on the investigation, the driver, 46 year old, Gregory Mags, of Berkeley Township was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Gregory was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Failure to Wear Seatbelt and Open Container of Alcohol. Gregory was released to a family member in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Warrant Arrest
Location: Shoprite, 344 Route 9 North
On Saturday December 14, 2024 at 08:51 hours, Officers Lee and Officer Tranz responded to Shoprite, 344 Route 9 North for a report of a suspicious person. Upon arrival, the officers met with 53 year old, Matthew Piatt of Barnegat, who had an outstanding warrant out of Lakewood Township. Officer Tranz transported Matthew to Headquarters, where he was met by Officers from Lakewood Police, who assumed custody of Matthew without incident.

Nature: DWI
Location: Little Italy Pizza, 15 Lacey Road
On December 15, 2024, Officer Zacco, Officer Hyle, and Officer Lee responded to Little Italy Pizzeria, for a male subject, identified as 64 year old, Richard Prazych of Toms River, who was asleep in the driver's seat of his idling vehicle. Based on the investigation Richard was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Richard was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving and Open Container of Alcohol. Richard was released to a friend in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Fraudulent Insurance Card
Location: Walmart, 580 North Main Street
On Monday, December 16, 2024, at 19:09 hours, 30 year old, Heather Galante of Beachwood, responded to police headquarters regarding an investigation Officer Biel conducted regarding the use of a fraudulent insurance card. Heather was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of a fraudulent insurance card. She was processed and released pending a future court appearance.

Nature: Warrant Arrest
Location: Admiral Road
On December 18, 2024, at 08:53 hours Officer D'Antonio and Officer Ricciardella responded to a residence on Admiral Road to serve an Ocean County Sheriffs warrant issued for 34 year-old Daniel Dabal Jr of Forked River. Officers located Daniel, placed him under arrest and transported him to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: Theft
Location: Walmart 580 North Main Street
On December 13, 2024, at 14:30 hours, Officer Tirella responded to Walmart for a report of a theft. It was reported that a male subject later identified as 38 year-old Michael Rausa of Beachwood had made a fraudulent return in the amount of $84 and then left the store with an item priced at $248. Officer Tirella identified Michael and charged him on a warrant with shoplifting and theft by deception.

Nature: Theft
Location: Serpentine Drive
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 16:30 hours, Officer Spina responded to a residence on Serpentine Drive for a theft report. The victim reported his 2021 SSR 140 Big Wheel dirt bike, valued at $2100.00 was stolen from the backyard of his residence. The area was canvassed and the investigation is ongoing.

Nature: CDS Arrest
Location: Walmart, 580 North Main Street
On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at 1807 hours, Officer Nilon and Officer Carver, responded to Walmart to check the welfare of a male subject partially lying in the roadway. Upon arrival Officers were directed to the men’s restroom where they located 45 year old, Brian Eak of Beachwood, who was actively huffing a can of aerosol. Brian was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters. Brian was charged with possession and use of a toxic chemical and transported to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: DWI
Location: Fairview Lane
On Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 19:48 hours Officer Labbate and Officer Gant responded to a residence on Fairview Lane for a report of an MVA. Upon arrival Officer located the driver, 64 year old, Carl Fava of Forked River. Carl was operating a 2024 Hyundai Elantra while driving home and struck a parked vehicle causing disabling damage to both vehicles. Based on the investigation Carl was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Carl was transported to headquarters where he was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane and Refusal to Submit Breath Samples. Carl was released to a family member in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Assault
Location: Thirsty Piney, 344 North Main Street
On Sunday, December 22, 2024 at 0145 hours, a male victim came to police headquarters to report that he was assaulted while sitting at the bar of the Thirsty Piney, 344 North Main Street. The victim reported being pulled to the ground and kicked by a female, later identified as, 40 year old, Allison Pintye of Little Egg Harbor. Based on the investigation Officer Morrone issued Allison a summons for simple assault.

Nature: DWI
Location: Lacey Road & Trenton Ave
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 1907 hours Officer Spina conducted a motor vehicle stop for careless driving on a 2019 Ford Ranger at Lacey Rd and Trenton Ave. Officer Spina met with the driver, 57 year old, Richard Egnatuk of Berkeley Township, who displayed signs of impairment. Based on the investigation Richard was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Richard was transported to headquarters where he was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Careless Driving. He was released to a friend in accordance with John's Law.

Nature: DWI
Location: VFW 2630 Lacey Road, Forked River
On Thursday, December 26, 2024 at 1835 hours, multiple officers including Ptl. Swain responded to the area of the Forked River VFW for a report of a motor vehicle that struck a traffic sign. The vehicle was located by officers in the parking lot of the Bamber Lake Fire Department and which was operated by 38 year old, Thomas Carlevale of Manchester Township. Based on the investigation Thomas was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Thomas was processed and charged with numerous motor vehicle offenses to include DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain lane and Suspended Driver’s License. Thomas was released to a friend in accordance with John’s Law.