Manalapan Police Blotter: Monmouth County Residents Arrested

Manalapan police investigated cases involving a stolen car, theft, and fraudulent emails sent to residents of a retirement community as part of a scam to try to steal money.

According to a news release from Manalapan Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

March 22

Around 9:45 p.m., Officer Bryan Belardo conducted a motor vehicle stop in the CVS parking lot on Rt. 33. The investigation revealed the license plate on the vehicle was stolen. The driver, Tammy Bell, 43, of Manalapan, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property. She was also issued motor vehicle summons charging her with driving with a suspended license, driving an uninsured, unregistered vehicle and having fictitious plates.

Around 12:02 a.m., patrols responded to Apache Drive for a report of an assault. The victim, a 52-year-old Marlboro man, reported that his daughter’s boyfriend, an 18-year-old Manalapan resident, struck him in the face with an open hand which caused minor injury. First Aid responded and the victim refused medical attention. The victim was advised of the procedure to sign complaints. Patrolman Eric Voorand handled the incident.

March 21

Around 11:35 p.m., Patrolman Matthew Mattia responded to Wawa located on Woodward Road for a report of a cell phone theft. The victim, a 15-year-old boy from Freehold Township, told police his cell phone was removed from the deli counter after he placed an order. There are currently no suspects.

Around 3:40 p.m., Patrolman Brian Schank responded to police headquarters in reference to identity theft. The victim, a 61-year-old Manalapan resident, reported that an unknown person submitted an electronic tax return in his name. This incident was reported to the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Trade Commission, and the State of New Jersey.

March 20

Around 3:30 p.m. patrols were dispatched to a motor vehicle accident with injuries. Upon arrival it was determined that the driver of one of the vehicles had a medical episode which caused the crash. A vehicle driven by a 58-year-old Manalapan man was traveling south in the Stop N Shop parking lot. A second vehicle, driven by a 50-year- old white Manalapan woman was traveling east in the Stop N Shop parking lot. The man began to have a medical episode causing him to accelerate and strike the rear driver’s side of the female’s vehicle. The man’s vehicle continued to accelerate and crashed into the entranceway of Stop N Shop building, coming to final rest inside the building. Both drivers were taken to Centra State Medical Center in Freehold Township, and there were no other injuries caused by the crash. Gordons Corner Fire Department, Englishtown-Manalapan First Aid, and MONOC paramedics responded and assisted at the scene. The crash investigation was handled by Patrolman Bart Mattaliano.

Around 9 a.m., a 68-year-old Freehold Township man reported vandalism to the front door to Bella Nails on Route 9 South. Sometime between the hours of 6:30 p.m. March 19, and 9 a.m. March 20, unknown actor(s) smashed the front door to Bella Nails and entered the business. Nothing was reported missing. The value of the property damage to the door is unknown at this time. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Patrolman Morgan Joiner at 732-446-4300, Detective Kevin Schmidt at 732-446-8387, or Detective Dominic Donatelli at 732-446-8388. This incident is currently under investigation.

March 19

Around 8:45p.m., a 26-year-old Manalapan woman went to police headquarters and told police she was involved in an argument with a 31-year-old white Manalapan woman when she was subsequently pushed into a door causing a minor cut to her right elbow. The victim was referred to the municipal court to pursue criminal complaints. The incident was handled by Patrolman Anthony Cascella.

Around 8:15 p.m., Patrolman Philip Accatatta responded to a Station Street residence in regards to a harassment complaint. A 32-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man, both Manalapan residents, reported receiving multiple telephone calls from an unidentified male subject who verbally harassed them from a private phone number. Patrolman Philip Accatatta handled the incident.

March 18

Around 6:25 p.m., Patrolman Philip Accatatta stopped a n a 2007 Kia Rio on Route 9. The vehicle was determined to be stolen. The driver, 25-year-old Bianca L. Melendez of Freehold Township was arrested, processed, and released from police custody pending a court date. Patrolman Philip Accatatta handled the arrest.

Around 5:50p.m., Patrolman Matthew Meyler responded to Wintergreen Drive in reference to fraud. The caller, an 82-year-old Manalapan man reported a receiving a suspicious email that appeared to come from a neighbor. It said she was on vacation in the Philippines and required a loan of $2,450 due to an emergency. The caller knew the email to be fraudulent and possibly sent by a subject who accessed his neighbor’s email account. It appears several members of the Four Seasons Development had received similar emails. All residents are to be aware of ongoing scams and to not render any payments they find to be suspicious in nature. Patrolman Matthew Meyler handled this incident.

Around 10 a.m. a 57-year-old Manalapan man reported that an unknown person attempted to gain entry into his multi-unit mailbox. The victim advised that the actor did not gain entry, but his mailbox was damaged in the process. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. Patrolman Reginald Grant handled this incident.

March 17

Around 5:55 p.m. Patrolman Christopher Makwinski responded to the area of Genesis Street for a report of burglary to a vehicle, and stolen property. The victim, a 70-year-old Red Bank woman reported her vehicle was burglarized between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. The victim reported she had numerous items in her vehicle stolen, and that she estimated the total value of the property stolen to be $295. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department.

Around 5:15 p.m. Patrolman Philip Accatatta was dispatched to the Best Buy located on Route 9 south. Police determined 60-year-old Maria L. Dimino of Freehold Township tried to shoplift a Misfit Shine Activity Fitness Tracker valued at $99.99. Dimino was arrested, processed, and later released from police custody pending a court date.