Manalapan Police Blotter

Manalapan police say they are searching for the shoplifter who hit a Wegman’s security guard with a vehicle as she fled from the store parking lot. Police also investigated reports of theft and harassment.

According to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

April 18

Around 5 p.m. Patrolman Porricelli responded to headquarters, where a 20-year-old township woman reported that a former male friend was harassing via text messages and phone calls. The male subject was contacted and advised complaints would be signed against him if continued to contact the woman.

Around 2:50 p.m., Wegman’s Security saw a woman shoplift $71.60 worth of items and leaving store. The woman was confronted by a security guard in the parking lot. She left the items behind and got into a vehicle. The guard stood in front of the vehicle in an attempt to stop her. The suspect then accelerated and struck the security guard with her vehicle and proceeded to carry him several hundred feet before he fell to the pavement receiving minor injuries. The vehicle fled the area. The incident was caught on surveillance video. The suspect is black, in her mid-30s, with a medium build. She was driving a light blue Toyota Sienna with a Pennsylvania license plate that began with the letters “JHF.” Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call police at 732-446-4300. Patrolman Kevin McIntosh is investigating the incident.

Around 7:15 a.m., Patrolman Brian Schank responded to the Battleground Country Club for vandalism to the golf course. Someone caused approximately $600 worth of damage to a putting green when tire tracks tore up the grass. Anyone with information in reference to this or similar incidents, is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department.

April 17

Around 4:35 p.m., a Manalapan resident reported a burglary and theft to her apartment. The victim said her unit was entered by force and $330 in cash was removed from a spare bedroom. Patrolman Matthew Meyler handled the incident with assistance from Patrolman Christopher Oleksy and Patrolman Jared Coupland. Detective Donatelli responded to process the scene. This case is being investigated further. Anyone with information is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department.


Around 1:20 p.m., a 42-year-old Manalapan man reported that someone opened several credit cards and filed an income tax return using his personal information. Approximately $2,200 was charged to the credit cards. The incident was handled by Patrolman Kevin Ruditsky.

April 16

Around 5:05 p.m., a 27-year-old Freehold man went to Manalapan Police headquarters and reported that a 26-year-old East Windsor man harassed him on several different occasions between April 14 and April 16. This incident is pending the signing of complaints in Manalapan Municipal Court. Patrolman Edward Hedden handled the incident.

April 13

Around 4:30 p.m., a 63-year-old Manalapan man responded to headquarters to report that he had never received a package of golf clubs valued at $800 that he purchased on March 3. The package was shipped and left next to his front door, then stolen. There are no suspects at this time. Patrolman Matthew Mattia handled the report.

April 7

Around 6 p.m., James Kushall, 28, of Jackson was arrested at his home and charged with receiving stolen property. The charge is connected to jewelry that was reported missing from a 71-year-old Manalapan woman’s home. He also had outstanding warrants for his arrest. The Jackson Township Police Department assisted. Detective Jared Aronson handled the investigation.