Manalapan Police Blotter

A screwdriver stabbing, the theft of landscaping equipment, and disputes were among the cases recently investigated in Manalapan, according to police.

According to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

July 19

Around 3 p.m., while on patrol at the Englishtown Auction, Officer Christopher Makwinski and Officer Reginald Grant responded to a fight in progress within the auction. Patrols met with a 65-year-old Old Bridge man, and a 48-year-old Piscataway man. Both parties related they fought over business issues, and did not wish to sign complaints against each other. Officer Christopher Makwinski handled the report.

July 17

At 5:37p.m. Officer Brian Cruse took a report from representatives of a Manalapan business on Route 9, who alleged they hired a contractor to perform a building renovation. They allege the contractor received over $112,000 in payments but only performed $30,000 worth of work before leaving the job. The case is pending complaints.

Around 9:35 a.m., Chief Christopher Marsala and Lt. Kevin Dobbin initiated a motor vehicle stop on Gordon’s Corner Road near Pease Road. The driver of vehicle, Georgine Cali-Vitale, a 50-year-old Manalapan resident, was observed driving erratically and later found to be driving while intoxicated. She was transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and released to a man who took responsibility for her. She was issued summonses that charged her with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI), Reckless Driving, Failure to Maintain Lane and Obstructing Passage of Motor Vehicles. Officer Morgan Joiner and Officer Adam Sosnowski handled the processing and arrest.

July 16

Around 5:20 p.m., two men, ages 23- and 58-years-old, engaged in an argument in the rear of the Self Storage Facility located on Route 9 south. The argument allegedly turned physical for a brief moment, and each man alleged they were pushed by the other. Neither party reported to have sustained any injuries as a result of the altercation. Both were advised of complaint procedures with the Manalapan Township Municipal Court. Officer Matthew Meyler investigated the incident.

At 4 p.m., someone removed two Husqvarna back pack blowers off of a commercial landscape truck. The vehicle was parked on Plainridge Court as the workers were in the back of a residence on that street. While working behind the residence someone removed the blowers off the trailer. The blowers were described as model #580 and were valued at $1,100. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call the Manalapan Police Department at (732) 446-4300. The incident was investigated by Officer Anthony Cascella.

Around 3:45 p.m., a report of a ruptured gas line and possible gas leak occurred on Washington’s Advance in Manalapan. Contractors hired to install a new fence at a residence ruptured a gas line approximately 2 feet into the soil in the backyard of the property. Residents near the home were asked to evacuate their homes for safety reasons. The Gordon’s Corner Fire Company and New Jersey Natural Gas responded for assistance. The area was eventually deemed safe by the fire department and gas company. Officer Matthew Meyler was the investigating officer while Sgt. Daniel Carey and Officer Adam Sosnowski assisted.

July 15

At 4:43 p.m., patrols responded to a Route 33 home, where a 39-year-old male resident was stabbed with a screwdriver multiple times. The defendant, Marc Fisher, 68, who also lived there, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon. Fisher was sent to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township. Patrolman Matt Porricelli handled the arrest.

At 3:19 p.m. a 73-year-old Monroe woman, responded to Manalapan police headquarters to report a theft. She said that $3,000 worth of personal items were stolen from her previous residence on Heron Court in Manalapan. The incident is under investigation by Officer Jeff Emslie.

At 12:34 p.m., an employee of Kinder Care reported that someone had entered the building after hours. The interior was ransacked and three digital cameras, with an approximate value of $380, were stolen. The theft occurred sometime between 6:37 p.m. on July 14 and 6:30 a.m. on July 15. Anyone with further information regarding this incident is urged to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. The report was handled by Officer Brian Schank.

July 14

At 8:47 a.m., a 57-year-old Manalapan woman related that sometime between April 10 and July 4, someone removed a jewelry box from her residence containing several pieces of jewelry valued at $11,963. This case is pending investigation. Officer Kevin Ruditsky handled the report.

July 13

At 8:46 p.m., a 30-year-old Manalapan woman alleged she was threatened by a 26-year-old Manalapan man when she went to his house to complain about a family member’s driving habits. The male alleged he was also threatened by the female while she was at his house. Officer Christopher Makwinski handled the report.

At 6:34 p.m., a 44-year-old Manalapan man reported he received a harassing phone call from an unknown actor/phone number. The victim reported the subject claimed that he was from the U.S. Grant Department and spoke to the victim in a threatening manner. The victim did not feel threatened, and hung up the phone. Officer Christopher Makwinski handled the report. Residents should be aware that there is an ongoing phone scam where subjects call claiming to be from government agencies.

Around 4:20 p.m., a 48-year-old Chestnut Way resident had her vehicle burglarized. The incident occurred between midnight on July 11 and 2 p.m. July 13. The victim incurred a loss of $930 in total from various items that were reported missing. According to the victim, her vehicle was unlocked at the time. Manalapan police are advising all resident to secure their vehicle before leaving them unattended. Patrolman Matt Porricelli handled the report.

At 1:34 p.m. Officer Reggie Grant and Officer Aaron Abeles conducted an investigative stop on Winter Court. Daniel Summonte, a 19-year-old Freehold man, was found to be in possession of marijuana. Summonte was charged with operating a motor vehicle while in possession of CDS and possessing marijuana under 50 grams. Summonte was processed and released on a summons with a pending court date.

At 1:21 p.m., Patrolman Philip Accatatta was dispatched to a Tall Woods Drive residence in regards to a theft of landscape equipment. Upon arrival, the victim was identified as a 41-year-old Manalapan man. It was related an unidentified male described as a bald white male in his mid-30s, approximately 5 foot 10 inches tall, weighing 190 pounds had stolen a RedMax EBZ8500 valued at $700 while his employees were working. The thief was confronted by a witness and left the area, at a high rate of speed, in a gray hatchback vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department.