Manalapan Police Blotter

A Manalapan man was taken to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation when a fire broke out at an Oxford Road home, authorities said.

A firefighter suffered burns fighting the blaze, and one dog and two cats died in the fire, police said.

That fire, deemed accidental, was among the cases investigated recently by Manalapan police.

According to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

July 4

At 12:40 a.m., police responded to Oxford Road for a report of a structure fire. Upon arrival the residence was found to be fully engulfed in flames. The fire department responded and extinguished the fire. A 52-year-old Manalapan man was treated for smoke inhalation and he was transported to CentraState Hospital for treatment. A 50-year-old Manalapan woman was treated for smoke inhalation, but was released at the scene by first aid. A Gordon’s Corner Firefighter sustained a burn while fighting the fire and was released at the scene after being assessed by first aid. One dog and two cats perished in the fire. Monmouth County/Manalapan Township Fire Marshal Rick Hogan investigated the incident and determined the fire was accidental and not suspicious in nature. The Gordon’s Corner Fire Department, Millhurst Fire Department, Englishtown Fire Department, Robbinsville Fire Department, East Freehold Fire Department, Englishtown Manalapan First Aid Squad, NJ Natural Gas, and JCP&L responded and assisted on the scene. This incident was investigated by Officer Joseph DeFilippis and Detective Dominic Donatelli.

July 3

At 8 p.m., two residents of Parkview Way responded to Manalapan Township Police Department and reported that they were being harassed by their neighbor. The 47-year-old man and 47-year-old white woman stated that their neighbor, a 48-year-old woman, has been harassing them over an extended period of time. The case is pending criminal complaints. Officer Adam Sosnowski handled the report.

At 1:39 p.m. Khatuna Pkhakadze, 37, of the Republic of Georgia, was stopped by Target Department Store security after attempting to leave the store after concealing merchandise valued at $475.90. Khatuna was later arrested, processed, and released after being issued a summons. This case was handled by Officer Aaron Abeles and Officer Reginald Grant.

July 2

Around 6:30 p.m. Officer Mark Casagrande responded to a residence on Shilling Road for a report of fraud. An 18-year-old Manalapan woman advised her ATM card had been used without her permission totaling $178.54. This case is pending investigation. Officer Mark Casagrande handled the incident.

July 1

Around 11:15 p.m., 45-year-old William Laguer Jr. of Manville was arrested on multiple charges in relation to a recent burglary attempt in Manalapan Township. William was transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institute in lieu of $11,000 bail, with a pending court date. The incident was handled by Patrolman Matt Porricelli.

June 30

Around 2:30 a.m., Officer Kyle Earley observed a suspicious occupied vehicle parked in the Knob Hill Development on St. Andrews Place. Upon further investigation, Kevin Shnaider, 18, of Manalapan, a 17-year-old Manalapan boy, 17-year-old Manalapan girl and a 16-year-old Marlboro boy were found to be in possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. All four subjects were arrested, transported to headquarters where they were processed. Shnaider was released on a summons to appear in Manalapan Township Municipal Court. The three juveniles were released to their legal guardians pending Monmouth County Family Court. Officer Kyle Earley handled the case.

June 29

Around 1:50 a.m., Officer Joseph DeFilippis responded to a residence for a report of a subject receiving harassing phone calls. A 39-year-old Manalapan woman advised she received multiple prank phone calls and was threatened by an unknown subject. This incident occurred between 1:30 a.m. and 1:45 a.m. This case is pending investigation. Officer Joseph DeFilippis handled the incident.