Shoplifting, DWI Reported In February: Lacey Police Blotter

LACEY, NJ — Numerous shoplifting arrests were made last month, according to Lacey police.

The monthly Lacey police blotter details the variety of incidents local officers respond to.

Here's February's police blotter, courtesy of Lacey police and shared unedited by Patch.

Nature: Shoplifting (Multiple Incidents)

On Monday, February 2, 2026, at 12:49am, Officer Tranz responded to CVS regarding a report of shoplifting incidents. Upon arrival, Officer Tranz met with the store manager, who indicated that a male comes in daily and shoplifts various items from the store. On this date, store staff confronted the male who fled the store on a scooter. While continuing his investigation Officer Tranz discovered that the same male described by CVS also shoplifts regularly from Wawa, 701 Route 9 North. Officer Tranz identified the suspect as 44 year old Gerardo Fleites Jr. of Stafford. Officer Tranz completed a warrant, charging Gerardo with shoplifting.On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:30am, Officer Tranz and Officer Nilon located Gerardo at a business in Lanoka Harbor. Gerardo was placed under arrest, transported to headquarters, processed, and lodged in Ocean County Jail.

Nature: DWI

On Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7:58pm, Officer Walsh conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of Lacey Road and Holmes Avenue for headlights required. Contact was made with the driver, 55 year old John Salvemini of Bedminster, who was displaying signs of impairment. Officer Walsh arrested John for DWI. John was issued summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Headlights Required. John was released in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Shoplifting, Possession of Weapons

On February 6, 2026 at 4:03pm, multiple officers responded to Walmart for a shoplifting incident involving an irate subject. Upon arrival, officers located 32 year old Thomas Snow of Edgewater Park and 37 year old Kristyn Gares of Medford Township. Thomas was found to have concealed several knives and other merchandise on his person, as well as drug paraphernalia. Kristyn was found to be in possession of CDS and had concealed merchandise in her bag. Both were arrested and transported to police headquarters. Kristyn was charged with shoplifting and possession of CDS. Thomas was charged with shoplifting, unlawful possession of a weapon, certain persons not to have weapons, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Nature: Motor Vehicle Stop/Warrant Arrest

On Monday, February 9, 2026, at 08:34am, Officer Nilon conducted a motor vehicle stop at the area of Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor. The driver of the vehicle, 50 year old George Lacey Jr of Waretown, was found to have an outstanding warrant out of Mercer County. George was placed under arrest and lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

Nature: Shoplifting/Trespassing

On February 12, 2026 at 10:48am, Officer Plis and Officer Matarazzo responded to Welsh Farms for a report of a shoplifting. The investigation revealed 34 year old Ahmid Fischer of Brick Township, removed items from the store and fled the area. Charges for shoplifting and trespassing were placed on a warrant. Ahmid was later apprehended and lodged in Ocean County Jail..

Nature: Shoplifting & Warrant

Arrest On Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 7:32pm, Officer Lepeshko and Officer Holt responded to the Walmart for a shoplifting incident. On arrival, contact was made with the suspect, 42 year old Danielle Tansley of Bayville. It was reported Danielle concealed $219.14 worth of items, and switched a price tag on another item to make it appear cheaper than it really was. Additionally, Danielle was found to have an outstanding Ocean County warrant. Danielle was arrested, charged with Shoplifting and Under Ringing, and was lodged in the Ocean County Jail.
Nature: Shoplifting

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 8:14pm, several Officers including Officer Meyh responded to Shoprite for a report of three individuals shoplifting. Upon arrival Officers met with the suspects, 23 year old Jason Fort of Toms River, 20 year old Samantha Velez of Forked River, and 20 year old Kallie Hynes of Manahawkin. The investigation revealed that the suspects stole various grocery items totaling $122.05. They were placed under arrest and transported to headquarters where they were processed and charged with shoplifting. Kallie was charged on a warrant and lodged to Ocean County Jail, while Samantha and Jason were released on summonses.

Nature: Shoplifting

On Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 12:52pm, Officer Morrone and Officer Abrecht responded to Shoprite for a report of a male shoplifter that had left the store on foot. Officers responded to the area and located the male subject, 37 year old Andrew Post of Barnegat. Andrew was placed under arrest and transported to headquarters for processing. Charges were signed on a complaint summons for Shoplifting and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Andrew was released.

Nature: DWI

On February 20, 2026, at approximately 12:39pm, Officer Matarazzo responded to Wawa, 800 Lacey Road, for a report of a female slumped over the wheel of vehicle. Upon arrival, contact was made with 42 year old Stephanie Lewicki of Little Egg Harbor. Stephanie was found to be under the influence and was placed under arrest for DWI. She charged with DWI, Possession of CDS, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, along with several additional traffic violations. Stephanie was released in accordance with John’s Law.

Nature: Shoplifting

On February 21, 2026 at 4:38pm, Officer Walsh responded to Walmart for a report of shoplifting. It was determined that the suspect, 64 year old Soraya Lynch of Barnegat, left the store without paying for several pieces of merchandise. Soraya was placed under arrest, processed, and released on a summons.

Nature: Vehicle Fire

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 8:54pm, several officers, including Officer Primavera, responded to a Nautilus Boulevard address for a report of a vehicle fire. On arrival, officers located an unoccupied vehicle with the engine compartment fully engulfed in flames. The Lanoka Harbor Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. The Fire Marshal's Office responded to investigate the cause.

Nature: DWI-MVA

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 11:21pm, several officers, including Officer Walsh, responded to the area of Clifton Street for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a parked car. On arrival, contact was made with the driver, 30 year old Christopher Thomas 2nd of Forked River. Christopher was displaying signs of being under the influence and was arrested for DWI. He was issued summonses for DWI, Reckless Driving, and Failure to Maintain Lane. Christopher was released in accordance with John’s Law.