Lacey Police Blotter: Eluding, Assault by Auto, DWI, Thefts, Animal Cruelty Reported in January

LACEY, NJ — Lacey police responded to various incidents and made multiple arrests during January 2026, according to the monthly police blotter.

On January 2, Officer Triano responded to Walmart for a shoplifting incident. Alfred Delvecchio, 39, of Little Egg Harbor, was arrested and charged with Credit Card Theft and Shoplifting after being found in possession of stolen boots and credit cards not belonging to him.

Officer Nilon responded to Tony's Workwear on January 7 for a shoplifting report. Matthew Latauro, 37, of Forked River, was identified, returned the merchandise, and was charged with Shoplifting.

On January 8, Officer Tranz responded to CVS for a theft. Donald Cowan, 72, of Forked River, was arrested and charged with Theft after surveillance video showed him stealing an iPhone.

Sgt. Watkins arrested Craig Beaulieu, 51, of Forked River, for DWI on January 10 after observing his vehicle cross the centerline on Route 9. Beaulieu was also charged with Reckless Driving and Failure to Maintain Lane.

Officers Lepeshko and Hyle responded to Walmart on January 12 for a shoplifting report. Alexis Eveigan, 30, of Manahawkin, was arrested for shoplifting merchandise valued at $119.31 and for an active warrant out of Beachwood. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

On January 15, Officer Tranz attempted a motor vehicle stop on a 2015 Nissan Altima, but the driver, John O’Neill, 38, of Forked River, failed to stop. Officer Triano later observed the same vehicle driving recklessly. Following a motor vehicle crash at Station Drive and Parker Avenue, O’Neill was arrested and charged with Eluding and Assault by Auto on a warrant. The other driver involved in the crash required medical attention. O’Neill was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Officers Abrecht and Tranz responded to Walmart on January 16 for a shoplifter. Hlif Parry, 42, of Lanoka Harbor, was arrested and charged with Shoplifting after failing to scan $79.30 worth of merchandise at a self-checkout.

Officer Spina arrested Jennifer Riccardelli, 44, of Lanoka Harbor, for DWI on January 17 after a motor vehicle stop for speeding. Riccardelli was also issued summonses for Reckless Driving, Refusal to Submit to Breath Testing, and Speeding.

Officer Hyle conducted a motor vehicle stop on January 17, leading to the arrest of Erin Finkbohner, 45, of Barnegat, for several outstanding warrants. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

On January 18, Officers Meyh and Gant arrested Michael Molner, 38, of Lanoka Harbor, for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Open Container in a Motor Vehicle following a disturbance report.

Officer Walsh conducted a motor vehicle stop on January 20. Connor Murphy, 19, of Toms River, was arrested for two outstanding Toms River warrants. He posted bail and was released.

On January 21, Officers Matarazzo and Plis responded to ShopRite for a shoplifting report. Gregory Salerno, 36, of Tuckerton, was charged with Shoplifting $162.44 worth of groceries. Salerno turned himself in on January 23 and was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Also on January 21, officers responded to a theft of an e-bike behind ShopRite. Officer Lepeshko located the U-Haul van and the stolen e-bike in the Walmart parking lot. William Manser Jr., 45, of Bayville, was arrested for Theft of Movable Property, Possession of CDS, Obstruction, and an outstanding warrant after attempting to flee. Jacquelyn Smith, 34, of Bayville, was also present and had four outstanding warrants totaling $7,100; she was released on her own recognizance.

On January 22, multiple officers responded to a motor vehicle accident with injuries on South Street. Michael O’Hare Jr., 38, of Ocean Gate, was arrested for DWI, Vehicular Assault, Possession of CDS, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. He was transported to a trauma center for injuries and later to the Ocean County Jail.

Officer Slota responded to Pokeplug on January 24 for a theft. Michael Lobue, 45, of Bayville, was identified as the suspect who took a store iPhone. He was arrested by Toms River Police on January 28 and transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Officer Morrone arrested Jerilyn Wilbert, 64, of Toms River, for an outstanding Lacey Township warrant on January 24 at Wawa. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail.

On January 24, Officer McKee conducted a motor vehicle stop, leading to the arrest of Najiere Hutchinson, 25, of Bridgeton, for a $1,500 warrant. He posted bail and was released.

Officers Ricciardella and Matarazzo responded to JR’s Liquor on January 27 for a shoplifting. Matthew J. Frazier, 38, of Forked River, was arrested for stealing a bottle of alcohol and transported to Police Headquarters.

On January 27, Officer Lepeshko responded to Caffrey's Tavern for a barking dog left in an unattended vehicle. Joseph Schoepfer, 66, of Lanoka Harbor, was issued a Special Complaint Summons for Animal Cruelty due to the frigid temperatures.

Officer Carver conducted a motor vehicle stop on January 29. Al Elk, 35, of Tabernacle, was arrested for an active warrant out of Burlington County Sheriff's Department and issued multiple motor vehicle summonses. He was turned over to the Burlington County Sheriff's Department.

On January 31, Officers Morrone and Slota responded to Walmart for a shoplifting incident. Joni Britton, 34, of West Creek, and Jason Feliciano, 38, of Tuckerton, were arrested for underranging over $500 worth of merchandise. Britton was transported to the Ocean County Jail on a warrant, and Feliciano was released on a summons.