Contractor Fraud Investigated, Thousands Stolen Through Shoplifting: Lacey Police Blotter

LACEY, NJ — A contractor defrauded homeowners out of thousands, people shoplifted thousands of dollars worth of items and more during May.

That's according to the police blotter for May in Lacey, listing the variety of incidents officers responded to throughout the month.

Here is May's blotter, courtesy of the Lacey Township Police Blotter and unedited by Patch.

Nature: DWI

On Friday, May 1, 2026, at approximately 1:20pm Officer Nilon responded to Wawa, 444 South Main Street, for a report of a driver stumbling in the parking lot. Officers made contact with driver, 68 year old, Kathleen Boyle, of Forked River, who was displaying signs of impairment. Based on the investigation Kathleen was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Kathleen was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Open Container. She was released in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Burglary

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, at approximately 12:20am, Officer McKee responded to a residence on Williams Avenue for a burglary to a vehicle. Upon arrival, Officer McKee observed approximately $440 worth of damage to the driver's side window and the steering column. The incident is still under investigation.

Nature: Criminal Mischief

On Sunday, May 3, 2026 at 2:17pm Officer Carver responded to a residence on Baldwin Street for criminal mischief to a vehicle. Upon arrival he met with the victim who stated sometime during the overnight hours their vehicle was damaged. Officer Carver observed damage to the locking mechanism of the vehicle. The incident is still under investigation.

Nature: Warrant Arrest

On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 3:45pm multiple officers including Officer Julian responded to a residence on Forepeak Drive to serve an outstanding warrant issued out of Toms River on 25 year old, Kyle Comerford, of Forked River. Kyle was located and placed under arrest without incident. Toms River Police responded and took custody of Kyle.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Tuesday, May 05, 2026, Officer Biel responded to Kohl’s, 304 Route 9 North, and met with Loss Prevention who reported that a male and female stole approximately $1,457.00 worth of merchandise. Officer Biel was able to identify the female suspect as 27 year old Maria Calvacontento of East Orange. On May 13th 2026, Maria responded to headquarters where she was processed and charged with shoplifting. She was released pending a future court appearance. The investigation is ongoing.

Nature: DWI

On Friday, May 8, 2026 at 12:26am, Officer Labbate conducted a motor vehicle stop for careless driving. Contact was made with the driver, 55 year old, Cassandra Horowitz of Barnegat, who displayed signs of impairment. Based on the investigation Cassandra was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Cassandra was transported to headquarters where she was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Careless Driving. Cassandra was released in accordance with Johns Law.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 6:55pm Officer Meyh responded to Wawa, 444 South Main Street for a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival Officer Meyh met with the shift manager who reported that a female, later identified as 50 year old Jennifer Zemartis of Waretown, stole $30.68 worth of merchandise before leaving the store. Officer Meyh took Jennifer into custody and charged her with shoplifting. Jennifer was released pending a future court appearance.

Nature: DWI

On Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 5:20pm several Officers responded to the Lacey Inn for a report of a dispute. Upon arrival Officers met with several residents to include, 21 year old, Wyatt Plica of Forked River. The investigation revealed that Wyatt was operating his vehicle while intoxicated when he struck a resident with his vehicle resulting in minor injury. Based on the investigation Wyatt was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was processed and charged with DWI, Refusal to Submit Breath Samples, Reckless Driving, Open Container, and Consumption in a Motor Vehicle. Additionally, he was charged with Obstruction, Resisting Arrest, and Assault by Auto. Wyatt was released in accordance with John’s Law pending a future court appearance.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at approximately 02:17am Officer Matarazzo conducted a property check of Wawa, 800 Lacey Road after it was reported that an individual has repeatedly stolen from the store. While on scene Officer Matarazzo observed 21 year old, Jayson Miller-Wood of Bayville place merchandise in his pockets and attempt to leave the store without paying for the items. As a result, Jayson was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting. He was released pending a future court appearance.

Nature: MVA - DWI

On Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 1:02pm Officer Lee responded to the area of Lacey Road and Vaughn Avenue for a motor vehicle collision. The investigation revealed that 47 year old Nathan Hendricks of Forked River struck a vehicle before driving into a telephone pole. Nathan displayed signs of impairment and was subsequently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Nathan was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. Additionally, he was charged with Assault by Auto and Use/Under the Influence of CDS. He was released in accordance with John’s Law and pending a future court appearance.

Nature: Theft by Deception

Detective Brian Flynn concluded a several month long investigation related to two reports of contractor fraud and theft involving home construction/renovations that were supposed to have been completed by Coastal Construction Group, LLC. owned by 49 year old Dean Rado of Galloway, NJ. Upon completion of his investigation, Detective Flynn determined that Dean Rado had deceived the victims into paying him a total of $78,637.50 and $189,000.00, respectively, for work that was never completed, or materials never purchased. Detective Flynn charged Dean Rado with Theft by Deception and Theft of Moveable Property. On May 15, 2026, Dean responded to headquarters where he was processed and transported to Ocean County Jail.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:51am Officer Lee responded to Wawa, 701 North Main Street for a report of a shoplifting. The investigation revealed 39 year-old Patrick Clayton of Bayville, stole $14 worth of merchandise from the store. Officer Lee located Patrick nearby and placed him under arrest. Patrick was also found to have a warrant for his arrest out of Manchester Township. Patrick was transported to police headquarters and released on a summons for shoplifting and released on his own recognizance for the warrant.

Nature: Structure Fire

On Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 11:14pm, several officers, including Officer Primavera, responded to a Lanoka Harbor residence on Hazelton Avenue for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival, the residence was fully engulfed. The fire was ultimately extinguished by the Lanoka Harbor Fire Department and the Forked River Fire Department. Detective Dalziel and the Fire Marshal's Office are investigating.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Monday, May 25, 2026, at 1:56pm Officers Slota and Tranz responded to Walmart for a report of a shoplifter. Upon arrival, they met with loss prevention who reported 61 year old, Patrick Ferraro, of Lanoka Harbor, stole $20.52 of merchandise. Patrick was placed under arrest and charged with shoplifting. He was released pending a future court appearance.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 7:50pm Officer Meyh responded to Kohl's for a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival Officer Meyh met with a staff member who reported that on May 24th, at approximately 11:15am, a male suspect entered the store and stole approximately $2,319.00 worth of perfume and other merchandise. The investigation is ongoing.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Thursday, May 28, 2026, at 12:14am, Officer Carver responded to the Wawa located at 701 North Main Street for a report of a male that just shoplifted several food items and left the store. The subject, 54 year old Dewann Mcallister of Forked River, was later located and was placed under arrest. He was charged with shoplifting and released pending a future court appearance.

Nature: Fighting/Simple Assault

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 02:07am, several officers, including Officer Walsh, responded to the Pine Tar Bar, 121 Route 9 South, for a fight in progress. Upon arrival, contact was made with 24 year old Landon Richardson of Toms River and 39 year old, Donald Klarmann Jr., of Forked River. It was determined that a physical altercation took place between both parties. As a result, Landon was issued Special Complaint summonses for Simple Assault and Disorderly Conduct. Donald was issued a Special Complaint summons for Simple Assault.

Nature: DWI

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 05:02am, Officer Biel investigated an MVA hit-and-run in the area of Beach Blvd. Officer Lee and Officer Ricciardella responded to assist and located the driver, 33 year old Michael Cannito of Forked River, who was passed out in a vehicle in the area of Anchor Way. Based on the investigation Michael was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. He was processed and charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane, Leaving the Scene and Failure to Report an Accident. He was released in accordance with John’s Law.