Police Blotter Returns In Lacey, In Slightly Different Form

LACEY, NJ — Residents often looked forward to the weekly police blotter as a way of staying informed.

But Lacey police stopped updating it in early 2023, leaving residents curious about what happened.

Now, the blotter has been revived. However, it is no longer weekly, but instead monthly.

Here is the blotter for the month of February:

Incident: MV Stop, Eluding

On Friday, February 2, 2024, at 2306 hours, Officer Biel attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on a blue Subaru Forester wagon near the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9 South for maintenance of lamps. The vehicle neared the intersection, made a right turn onto Route 9 southbound, and took off on Officer Biel. A short time later, Officer Shawn Spina observed the same vehicle traveling northbound on Route 9 in the area of Applebee’s. Officer Spina turned around and attempted to stop the vehicle, but it again fled, northbound on Route 9. The vehicle was observed disregarding multiple red traffic signals as it continued northbound towards Berkeley Township. An investigation of the incident led to the identity of the driver, Christian Damico, 25, of Berkeley Township, Holiday City. On Thursday, February 8, 2024, Christian Damico was placed under arrest and charged with 2nd degree Eluding. C. Damico was also issued several motor vehicle violations for Reckless driving, Careless driving, Failure to maintain lane, Improper Passing, and Maintenance of Lamps.

Incident: MVA Hit and Run

On Sunday February 4th, 2024, at 0813 hours, officers responded to the area of 611 Sunrise Boulevard for a report of a hit and run motor vehicle accident where the vehicle struck a Lacey Township Police Department radar trailer. Officers were able to identify the suspect vehicle as a white 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which was later located at a Forked River NJ address. The driver was identified as Richard Paul Romanek, age 26, of Dudley Avenue, Staten Island, NY. R. Romanek was issued motor vehicle summonses for Failure to Maintain Lane, Careless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an accident, and Failure to Report an accident.

Incident: MV Stop / DWI

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at 09:05 hours, Officer Tranz conducted a motor vehicle stop on a 2018 Jeep Wrangler for careless driving. Officer Tranz met with the driver, 42 year old, Matthew Lonsdale, Forked River, who was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated. Matthew was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and later released to a family member. M. Lonsdale was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Careless Driving. M. Lonsdale’s vehicle was towed pursuant to John’s Law.

Incident: Suspicious person / CDS Arrest/ PESS

On Thursday, February 8, at 1358 hours 2024, officers responded to the area of Bamber Lake Park for a report of a male acting erratic and running in the wooded area near the park. Ptl. Jason Lee located the male, Christopher Therien, 32, of Jackson, NJ in the area of Carusoville. CDS and paraphernalia was observed in Christopher’s vehicle, along with an empty liquor bottle. C. Therian was arrested and charged with Use/Under the influence of CDS, Possession of CDS, and possession of drug paraphernalia. C. Therian was also charged with Ordinance violation 261-23 (alcohol in a park).

Incident: MV Stop, DWI

On Friday, February 9, 2024, at 0222 hours, Officer Copes conducted a motor vehicle stop of a silver, 2014 Toyota Tundra, near the intersection of Lacey Road and Route 9 for a red light violation. Officer Copes met with the driver, Joseph Bonner, 50, of Manahawkin, NJ. Investigation at the scene revealed that Joseph was operating his vehicle while intoxicated, and he was placed under arrest for DWI. Joseph’s vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law. Joseph was transported to police headquarters, where he was processed and later released to a family member. J. Bonner was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Observe Traffic Signal.

Incident: Eluding

On Sunday February 11th, 2024, Officer Lee was attempting to serve Joseph Calafiore, age 25, of Forked River with a warrant. Officer Lee observed Joseph operating a white Ford F250, and attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop when Joseph fled, failing to stop at two stop signs, crossing over Beach Boulevard and fleeing north on Route 9. Officer Lee did not pursue the vehicle. J. Calafiore was charged with Eluding, Obstruction of the Administration of Law, and Bail Jumping. J. Calfiore was also issued several motor vehicle summonses for Driving While Suspended, Reckless driving, failure to stop, and dangerous exhaust gases.

Incident: Warrant Arrest – Hindering Apprehension

On Sunday, February 11, 2024, at 21:12 hours, Officer Keefe investigated a possible theft of a shopping cart. Officer Keefe met with a female who provided a false name. Officer Keefe identified the female as Sevigne Lozada, 49, of Lakewood, NJ who admitted to using a false name due to her having a warrant for her arrest. Sevigne was placed under arrest, transported to police headquarters, and processed. Sevigne was charged with hindering her own apprehension by providing the false name.

Incident: DWI

On Tuesday February 14th, 2024, at 1412 hours, Sergeant Hein and Officer Lee responded to the area of Route 9 and First Street for a report of an erratic driver, who was driving a Ford Expedition. Officer Lee observed the vehicle and it was caught in traffic at the intersection of Route 9 and Lacey Road. The driver, Randy Rizzolo, age 62, of, Bayville NJ was placed under arrest for violation DWI. Randy’s vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law. Randy was transported to headquarters and processed. Randy was later released to a friend. Randy was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Failure to maintain lane, and failure to inspect the vehicle.

Randy was also charged criminally with being Under the Influence of CDS.

Incident: Shoplifting, Warrant Arrest

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 1857 hours, Officers responded to Walmart for a report of a female shoplifter in custody. Upon arrival, officers met with Walmart Loss Prevention, along with the accused, Erin Finkbohner, 43, of Barnegat Township. Officers learned that Erin was observed concealing $86.23 worth of merchandise on her person and attempted to leave the store without paying for it. Erin was also found to have three active warrants for her arrest, Erin was placed under arrest for the warrants and transported to police headquarters, and later turned over to another police agency.

Incident: Burglary, Theft

On Friday, February 16, 2024 at 0846 hours, Officer Jason Nilon took a report of a theft of a Hexago 60,000 btu propane heater, valued at $135 at 422 Lake Barnegat Dr. The investigation discovered the Hexago propane heater was sold to Fast Cash in Lacey Township on February 15, by Mathew Cox, 38, of Forked River. On Sunday, February 18, 2024 Matthew Cox was charged with Theft by Deception, Receiving Stolen Property, and Fencing.

Incident: MVA – DWI

On Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 18:23 hours, Officer Labbate and Officer Keefe responded to a motor vehicle collision at Route 9 St and Taylor Lane. During the investigation, Officers determined 24 year old, Iain Shaw, Waretown, NJ who was operating a 2017 Honda Accord was driving while under the influence. I. Shaw was subsequently placed under arrest for DWI and his vehicle was impounded pursuant to John’s Law. I. Shaw was transported to headquarters, where he was processed, and later released to a family member. I. Shaw was charged with DWI, Reckless Driving, Careless Driving, Failure to Exhibit Documents, and Refusal to Submit Breath Samples.