Manalapan Police Blotter

Manalapan police said they recently investigated cases of harrassment, theft and fraud.

According to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

May 17

At 11:55 p.m. a 56-year-old Manalapan man called to report that he had received harassing text messages about his 15-year-old daughter. The resident was urged to block the number that he received the messages from and contact this agency with any further harassing messages. The incident was handled by Officer Jason Vigneault.

May 16

At 7:15p.m. a 49-year-old Manalapan man reported that his front two windshield wipers were removed from his 2013 Audi while it was parked in his driveway sometime between the evening of May 15 and the afternoon of May 16. The wipers were valued at approximately $50. Officer Brian Cruse handled the report.

At approximately 6:26 P.M., Lt. Kevin Dobbin, Sgt. Michael Hoppock, Officer Matthew Porricelli, and Officer Christopher Makwinski responded to the Post Office on Taylors Mills Road for a report about a motor vehicle burglary in progress. Upon arrival patrols located David Bautista, a 20-year-old from Howell who had been arrested just hours earlier by Manalapan officers on a charge of possessing narcotics. The investigation revealed that David burglarized and stole approximately $90 in cash from the vehicle. David was arrested processed and transported to Monmouth County jail, where he was held in lieu of $10,000 bail. Patrolman Christopher Makwinski handled the arrest and investigation.

At approximately 2:20p.m., Officer Kenneth Mikulik and Officer Matthew Meyler were assigned to a plain clothes off duty detail at the Englishtown Auction, located at 90 Wilson Ave., Manalapan. Officers responded to a report of disturbance within the flea market and met with two vendors who were reported to be arguing. Upon investigating the matter, officers discovered subjects in possession of various forms of controlled dangerous substance and paraphernalia. David A. Bautista, 20, who lives in Howell, was found to be in possession of hypodermic needles and several bags of heroin. Marie E. Marino, 23, of Marlboro, was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, several bags of heroin, and marijuana. Both were placed under arrest and transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters for processing. They were later released on summonses. The case is pending court.

May 15

At 2:10 p.m., patrols responded to Wawa on Woodward Road, after getting a report about the theft of gas. The investigation revealed that the suspect asked for $8 in gas, received the gas, and then left without paying. The suspect vehicle and driver were able to be identified; however the victim did not want to pursue the matter any further. Officer Brian Schank handled the report.

At approximately 1:55 p.m., patrols received a call from Best Buy reporting two people trying to use fraudulent identification to pick up items that were already purchased at several stores. The suspects were driving a red Nissan with a Pennsylvania registration. The vehicle was observed on Tennent Road by patrols and a motor vehicle stop was initiated on Millhurst Road by Officer Schank, Officer Lightbody, and Special Officer Cassagrande. The driver, Kabineh Conteh, 30, of Bronx, New York, and the passenger, Nicholas Nortey, 36, of Brooklyn, New York, were found to be in possession of fraudulent driver’s licenses. Both individuals were arrested. Conteh was charged with false government documents with the intent to commit fraud and theft of identity, with bail being set at $5,000. Nortey was charged with false government documents, with bail being set at $2,500. Both were sent to the county jail. Officer Brian Schank handled the investigation.

At approximately 1:20 p.m., Officer Kyle Earley observed a vehicle parked in the fire zone in front of Stop and Shop on Tennent Road. Upon further investigation, the driver, Jose Roman, 29, of Brooklyn, New York was found to have cocaine and marijuana inside of his vehicle. He was arrested, processed then released on summonses. The case is pending court.

At 10:24 a.m. a 41-year-old Manalapan woman, responded to headquarters to report credit/debit card fraud. Someone learned the victim’s debit card information and made two unauthorized online purchases. The incident is under investigation by Officer Jeff Emslie.

May 14

At approximately 4:30 p.m., a 42-­year-­old Manalapan man responded to headquarters to report fraudulent ATM transactions on his bank account. The fraudulent transactions totaled $1,000 and the transactions occurred in Queens, New York. Officer Bart Mattaliano handled the report.

At approximately 4 p.m., a 21­-year-­old Manalapan woman responded to headquarters to report fraudulent check transactions on her bank account. The fraudulent transactions totaled $3407.67. Officer Bart Mattaliano handled the report.

At approximately 3:40 p.m., Officer Jennie Hensley responded to Hillcrest Road for a report of harassment. Upon arrival, Hensley met with the victims who related that someone put a burnt stuffed toy in their mailbox. The charred Peter Pan was found by the 17-year-old resident and his 53 year-old mother upon returning home around 3 p.m.. Hensley handled the report.

May 13

At approximately 11:40 p.m., Officer Kyle Earley observed a suspicious male in the parking lot of Applebee’s on Route 9 North near Wegmans Supermarket. The subject, Kenneth Brown, 26, of Asbury Park was found to have an active warrant from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department and was also found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia. Brown was arrested, processed, and then turned over to Monmouth County Correctional jail in default of bail. Mr. Brown was issued a court date in Manalapan. Officer Kyle Earley handled the arrest.

At 10:26 p.m. police responded to New Beginnings Way for a harassment report. A 22-year-old Manalapan woman said she was harassed via text message by her 17-year-old cousin who lives in Englishtown. Officer Anthony Cascella handled the report.

At approximately 7:15 p.m., Officer Matthew Meyler responded to Police Headquarters to handle a report of criminal mischief to a vehicle. The victim, 41-year-old Manalapan man said the hood of his vehicle was dented while parked in the Symmes Drive Commuter Parking Lot. The incident occurred on May 13 between 6:45 a.m. and 7 p.m. and the dent appeared to have been caused deliberately. If anyone has any information about this investigation, they are asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. Officer Matthew Meyler handled the report.

At 6:03 p.m., Officer Anthony Cascella responded to the Manalapan Recreation Center on Route 522 for a report of vandalism to the Kuschick Pavilion bathroom. Someone lit a roll of toilet paper on fire in the toilet paper dispenser before leaving it unattended in the bathroom. The fire was extinguished by a male who entered the bathroom. Officer Anthony Cascella handled the report.

At approximately 5:30 p.m., Officer Sean McCarthy responded to the area of Covered Bridge for a report of identity theft. The victim, a 27-year-old Manalapan woman, reported that she received a phone call from someone who said she owed money on a delinquent loan. The victim reported that she has never taken a loan and during the course of the conversation it was learned that the caller had all of the victim’s personal information to include her social security number. The incident was handled by Officer Sean McCarthy.

At about 2 p.m. Judith Carr a 57-year-old Manalapan woman was arrested and charged with robbery, aggravated assault, theft and criminal trespass. She is accused of entering an unlocked Saddlebrook Drive home, assaulting the homeowner, and stealing a computer case containing checks and $500. Her bail was set at 106,000. She was sent to Monmouth County jail. Detective Charles Alaimo made the arrest.

May 12

At 6 p.m. a 22-year-old Manalapan woman responded to headquarters to report a fraudulent credit card was opened up in her name. There was a charge of $429 on the credit card. Officer Matthew Mattia handled the report.

At approximately 1:45 p.m. Officer Matthew Mattia responded to the Lafayette Mills School for a report of six juveniles trespassing on school grounds and lighting off fireworks at approximately 9:50 p.m. on May 9. The incident was observed on surveillance camaras and is currently under investigation.

An 88-year-old Manalapan woman who lives on Meadow Green Circle , reported her car was keyed. She advised that the incident occurred while parked in front of her house sometime between February 2015 and May 12. The incident is under investigation by Officer Jeff Emslie.

May 11

At approximately 3:15 p.m., Patrolman Brian Schank responded to a residence on Gordon’s Corner Road for an attempted burglary that occurred sometime in the past few days. Upon arrival, the victim, a 35-year-old Manalapan woman said an unknown tool was used to attempt to pry both a front and side door open. The incident occurred some time between the evening of May 9 and May 11. Residents are reminded to remain alert for suspicious activity.