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Lacey Township, NJ

3,500 Doses of Heroin: Drug Bust Nets 4, Ocean County Prosecutor Says 3,500 Doses of Heroin: Drug Bust Nets 4, Ocean County Prosecutor Says
3,500 Doses of Heroin: Drug Bust Nets 4, Ocean County Prosecutor Says Four people were arrested an hit with numerous drug charges in Ocean County following an extensive multiagency investigation, authorities announced Monday, Aug. 25. Nasir King, an 18-year-old Hamilton Township resident, was identified as a person distributing heroin in Ocean County, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. On Tuesday, July 29, detectives surveilled King as he traveled from Hamilton to Toms River, Billhimer said. King and a passenger, Asante Walker, a 24-year-old Trenton resident, arrived at a business on Route 37, where they met with Darrell Salter, a 59-year-old Lac…
Pedestrian Killed After Hit By Car: Lacey Twp PD Pedestrian Killed After Hit By Car: Lacey Twp PD
Pedestrian Killed After Hit By Car: Lacey Twp PD A 47-year-old Waretown resident was killed after she was struck by a car in Lacey Township on Monday, Aug. 11, authorities said. At 10:24 p.m., officers responded to Route 9 and Taylor Lane after a red 2022 Toyota Tundra driven by a 61-year-old Forked River man drove through the intersection and  struck Alycia Mullin, who was crossing Route 9, Lacey Township police said. Mullin was taken to a Community Medical Center where she was pronounced dead, police said. The crash remains under investigation, police said.
Wrong Way DWI Driver Struck Multiple Cop Cars In Wild Pursuit: Lacey Twp PD Wrong Way DWI Driver Struck Multiple Cop Cars In Wild Pursuit: Lacey Twp PD
Wrong Way DWI Driver Struck Multiple Cop Cars In Wild Pursuit: Lacey Twp PD A 33-year-old Manchester man was arrested and charged with a litany of offenses after driving drunk and leading police on a pursuit in Lacey Township on Thursday, July 17, authorities said. At 3:46 p.m., officers responded to a report of a driver, later identified as Ronald Banilov, drinking alcohol from a bottle while swerving in and out of traffic on Route 9 near Lacey Road, Lacey Township police said. Banilov, driving a silver Hyundai Tucson nearly caused several head-on collisions while driving in the wrong lane of Beach Blvd. before striking a vehicle as it fled the scene, police …
ROAD RAGE: Bayville Man Who Shot At Another Vehicle Found In Route 9 Lot, Cops Say ROAD RAGE: Bayville Man Who Shot At Another Vehicle Found In Route 9 Lot, Cops Say
Road Rage: Bayville Man Who Shot At Another Vehicle Found In Route 9 Lot, Cops Say A man was arrested after firing a gun at another driver during a road rage incident in Ocean County, police said. Paul R. Cacciola, 39, of Bayville, allegedly got out of his car, pulled out a gun and shot at the victim's vehicle, causing damage before fleeing the scene around 8:10 a.m. Thursday, July 17, according to Lacey Township Police Capt. Paul Sullivan. Officers began searching for the suspect while other officers met with the victim.  “Evidence of vehicle damage consistent with a projectile strike was located on the victim’s vehicle,” Sullivan said. The victim was not inju…
Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors
Toms River Arsonist Admits To Starting Brick Blaze That Injured 3 Firefighters: Prosecutors A 51-year-old Toms River man pleaded guilty on Monday, June 9, to intentionally starting a fire in Brick Township, injuring three firefighters, authorities said. Charles Maulbeck pleaded guilty to arson and criminal mischief, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Per the terms of a plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to three years in prison, Billhimer said. On Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, Brick Township police saw smoke and heavy fire at a home on Falkenberg Road, Billhimer said.  Two firefighters were treated and released from a nearby hospital, while a third dec…
Guns, Xanax: Lacey Township Teen Busted After Fleeing Cops, Prosecutor Says Guns, Xanax: Lacey Township Teen Busted After Fleeing Cops, Prosecutor Says
Guns, Xanax: Lacey Township Teen Busted After Fleeing Cops, Prosecutor Says A 19-year-old Lacey Township man was arrested and charged on Thursday, May 15 for dealing Xanax and possessing illegal firearms, authorities said. Detectives began surveilling Aidan Marshall following an investigation into illegal firearms possession and narcotics distribution, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. As detectives attempted to make contact with Marshall, he fled on foot into a wooded area, Billhimer said. He was later found hiding underneath brush in a wooded area and was taken into custody, Billhimer said. Marshall attempted to discard a bag, which contained a gho…
Lacey Township Man Who Made Racist Threats To Amazon Driver Learns Fate: Prosecutor Lacey Township Man Who Made Racist Threats To Amazon Driver Learns Fate: Prosecutor
Lacey Township Man Who Made Racist Threats To Amazon Driver Learns Fate: Prosecutor A Lacey Township man who made racist threats against an Amazon driver and illegally sold large amounts of marijuana was sentenced to five years in prison on Friday, April 25, authorities said. John Vincentini had previously pleaded guilty to bias intimidation after he threatened an Amazon delivery driver back in September 2022, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. Vincentini asked the driver why he was in the neighborhood, following him around and blocking his vehicle, Billhimer said.. He asked the driver if they "understood that it was a racist neighborhood" and threatened to sh…
Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor
Waretown Man, 19, Charged In Jones Road Wildfire Over Improper Bonfire: Prosecutor A 19-year-old New Jersey man has been charged with setting the massive wildfire that scorched 15,000 acres and destroyed a commercial building this week, officials announced. Joseph Kling, of Ocean Township (Waretown), was charged with Aggravated Arson and Arson in connection with the Tuesday, April 22 blaze, according to a joint statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, NJ DEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette, and Ocean Township Police Chief Michal Rogalski. The fire was first spotted at 9:45 a.m. by the Cedar Bridge Fire Tower, which reported seeing smoke near Jones Roa…
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires
Air Quality Alert Issued For South Jersey After Wildfires The National Weather Service issued an air quality alert on Wednesday, April 23, for parts of Southern New Jersey following the devastating wildfires in eastern Ocean County. The air quality alert was issued for Ocean-Atlantic-Cape May-Atlantic Coastal Cape May-Coastal Atlantic-Coastal Ocean-Southeastern Burlington and includes the cities of Jackson, Hammonton, Cape May Court House, Ocean City, Atlantic City, Long Beach Island and Wharton State Forest. The massive wildfire has burned through 11,500 acres — threatening homes, destroying property, and leaving thousands without power as o…
Former Lacey HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges Former Lacey HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges
Former Lacey HS Track Star Jailed On Murder Charges A 20-year-old former track star at Lacey Township High School now faces murder charges, records show. Javir Askew-Mayweather was jailed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, according to the Ocean County Department of Corrections website. He faces charges of murder and attempted murder, according to the website. A spokesperson for the county prosecutor's office said the Toms River Police Department is handling the investigation. While at Lacey Township High School, Askew-Mayweather was one of the school's top runners, ranking near the top of the school record book in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, …
Lacey Township Man Indicted In Dad's Murder: Prosecutor Lacey Township Man Indicted In Dad's Murder: Prosecutor
Lacey Township Man Indicted In Dad's Murder: Prosecutor A 38-year-old Lacey Township man was indicted by a grand jury on Thursday, Jan. 30 with murdering his father, authorities said. On Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022, Lacey Township police responded to a residence on Weehawken Avenue after Justin Donaldson would not let family members into the residence. Police found Justin's father, David Donaldson, dead with apparent trauma to his face, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said. An investigation by law enforcement determined Justin was responsible for his father's death, Billhimer said. He was taken into custody at the scene without …
Prosecutor IDs Man Killed In Lacey Fire Prosecutor IDs Man Killed In Lacey Fire
Prosecutor IDs Man Killed In Lacey Fire A 75-year-old man has died after suffering serious burns in a house fire in Ocean County, authorities said. First responders from the Lacey Township Police and Fire Departments were dispatched to the reported structure fire on Signal Street at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 3, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. Upon arrival, they found the homeowner, identified as Edward Teixeira, outside the residence with severe burns. Teixeira was transported to Community Medical Center in Toms River, where he succumbed to his injuries on Jan. 4, the prosecutor said. A j…
Power Restored To Whiting After 5,200+ People Left In The Cold And Dark Power Restored To Whiting After 5,200+ People Left In The Cold And Dark
Power Restored To Whiting After 5,200+ People Left In The Cold And Dark An overloaded power grid failed under the strain of freezing temperatures, knocking out power for more than 5,000 people in Whiting two days before Christmas, authorities said. Nearly 6,000 customers lost electricity on Monday, Dec. 23, and the vast majority were in Manchester Township. The outages began around 8 a.m. as daytime temperatures hovered at 23 degrees and plunged to the low teens overnight. Manchester police discussed the response to the massive power outage in a news release on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Officers estimated about 5,200 Whiting residents had no electricity at th…
Nearly 6K Ocean County Customers Lose Power, Including 'All Of Whiting': Police (DEVELOPING) Nearly 6K Ocean County Customers Lose Power, Including 'All Of Whiting': Police (DEVELOPING)
Nearly 6K Ocean County Customers Lose Power, Including 'All Of Whiting': Police (Developing) Nearly 6,000 customers were without power in Ocean County, prompting local authorities to urge residents to report issues to JCP&L as crews work to restore service. The power outage affected 5,867 customers as of 9:16 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 23, according to Jersey Central Power & Light's website. The cause of the outage wasn't immediately known. The outage has impacted 5,213 customers in Manchester Township, representing 19.2 percent of local households, according to JCP&L. Additionally, 473 customers in Toms River and 173 in Lacey Township were also without power. As of 1 p…
Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say
Barnegat Man Stole $50K+ In Lotto Tickets From Wawa Locations, Prosecutors Say A Barnegat man was accused of stealing more than $50,000 in lottery tickets from vending machines at several Wawa stores over two years, authorities said. Kenneth Franke, 57, was charged with theft by unlawful taking following a two-year investigation, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Dec. 6. Investigators said Franke had been illegally obtaining lottery tickets without paying for them. The incidents reportedly occurred between January 2022 and December 2024 at Wawa locations in Lacey Township and Barnegat. Detectives established surveillance…
$1M 'Living Shoreline' Grant To Improve Environment, Coastal Resilience In Avalon $1M 'Living Shoreline' Grant To Improve Environment, Coastal Resilience In Avalon
$1M 'Living Shoreline' Grant To Improve Environment, Coastal Resilience In Avalon A marina in Avalon will soon feature a $1 million “living shoreline,” combining nature and innovation to protect the Jersey Shore, officials said. A $1 million grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will fund the creation of a "living shoreline" at Avalon’s Bay Park Marina. The borough announced the funding in a Facebook post on Monday, Nov. 25. The project is part of a larger rehabilitation effort, which was expected to be completed by February 2026, to boost resiliency and environmental sustainability. "Avalon deeply appreciates the confidence of the National Fish…
Lacey Township Car Burglars Stole Clothes, Returned Them To T.J. Maxx For Cash: Police Lacey Township Car Burglars Stole Clothes, Returned Them To T.J. Maxx For Cash: Police
Lacey Township Car Burglars Stole Clothes, Returned Them To T.J. Maxx For Cash: Police A Little Egg Harbor man and woman were accused of breaking into vehicles in Lacey Township and returning stolen clothes to a department store for cash, authorities said. Edward McGrath, 38, and Kathleen Papa, 47, were arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Lacey Township Police Department said in a Facebook post. Officers received a call from a witness who saw a man trying to break into cars parked outside Encore Dental of Lacey at around 12:53 p.m. The suspect got into a vehicle and left the area. Police stopped the vehicle near PNC Bank on Lacey Road and confirmed McGrath was t…
Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say
Lacey Township Woman Admits To Using Child For Psychedelic Mushroom Sales, Prosecutors Say A Lacey Township woman admitted to using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, entered a guilty plea on Monday, Nov. 18, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. She pleaded guilty to possession of psilocin mushrooms with intent to distribute, employing a juvenile in a drug distribution scheme, and endangering the welfare of a child. The charges came from an investigation when Lacey Township police received a tip from the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Investigators said Wh…
Drunk Lacey Twp. Motorcyclist Wasn't Wearing Helmet In Overnight Whiting Crash, Police Say Drunk Lacey Twp. Motorcyclist Wasn't Wearing Helmet In Overnight Whiting Crash, Police Say
Drunk Lacey Twp. Motorcyclist Wasn't Wearing Helmet In Overnight Whiting Crash, Police Say A Lacey Township man was accused of driving a motorcycle while drunk in an overnight crash in Whiting, authorities said. Charles Hicks, 54, was charged with suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the Manchester Township Police Department said in a news release. The crash happened near the intersection of Wranglebrook Road and Canton Drive on Thursday, Aug. 29. Officers responded to a report of an injured motorcyclist at around 3:24 a.m. Police found a damaged Harley-Davidson motorcycle on its side in the intersection and Hicks a few feet away with injuries. I…
Whiting Woman Killed When SUV Crashes Into Woods Off Lacey Township Road, Police Say Whiting Woman Killed When SUV Crashes Into Woods Off Lacey Township Road, Police Say
Whiting Woman Killed When SUV Crashes Into Woods Off Lacey Township Road, Police Say A Manchester Township woman was killed when her SUV crashed into the woods in Lacey Township, authorities said. Rosemary Pfluge, 72, of Whiting, died in the crash on Saturday, Aug. 17, the Lacey Township Police Department said in a news release. Officers responded to the scene on County Route 539 near milepost 20 at around 11:28 p.m. Police found a 2012 grey Jeep Liberty partially overturned about 50 feet in the woods. Pfluge was trapped in the SUV with serious injuries. Forked River and Whiting firefighters extricated Pfluge from the Jeep. She was rushed to Community Medica…
Pumpkin-Snacking Snow Leopard Dies After Spending Senior Years At Jersey Shore Animal Refuge Pumpkin-Snacking Snow Leopard Dies After Spending Senior Years At Jersey Shore Animal Refuge
Pumpkin-Snacking Snow Leopard Dies After Spending Senior Years At Jersey Shore Animal Refuge An elderly snow leopard has died after spending about four years at an Ocean County animal sanctuary, officials said. A male snow leopard named Ty died from old age, Popcorn Park Animal Refuge said in a Facebook post on Thursday, Aug. 1. He was 14 years old when he arrived at the Lacey Township sanctuary in 2020. Popcorn Park said it was honored to care for Ty in his final years. "It is a privilege to provide refuge for animals in their golden years, those with medical needs, and any animal in need that comes through our doors," the park said. "Ty was a very special senior b…
More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure
More Than 13,000 Without Power On Jersey Shore After Substation Failure Thousands of residents in two Ocean County townships were without power after severe thunderstorms raced across the northeast and caused a substation to fail, officials said. According to the outage map for Jersey Central Power & Light, 13,688 customers had no electricity as of 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 27. More than 13,000 of those affected were living in Barnegat or Waretown. The JCP&L data said nearly 100 percent (8,606) of Barnegat's 8,620 customers and about 86 percent (4,607) of Ocean Township's 5,355 customers lost power. Most of the remaining outages were in Jackson Townsh…
South Jersey Man Admits To Racist Amazon Driver Threats, Illegally Growing Weed: Prosecutor South Jersey Man Admits To Racist Amazon Driver Threats, Illegally Growing Weed: Prosecutor
South Jersey Man Admits To Racist Amazon Driver Threats, Illegally Growing Weed: Prosecutor A Lacey Township man admitted to racist threats against an Amazon driver and illegally selling large amounts of marijuana, authorities said. John Vincentini, 64, pleaded guilty in two separate cases on Friday, June 7, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release. He and his wife, 64-year-old Karen Vincentini, have been held in the Ocean County Jail since March. John Vincentini pleaded guilty to bias intimidation after he was indicted back in June 2023. He was accused of threatening an Amazon delivery driver on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Investi…
South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say
South Jersey Woman Used Child To Sell Psychedelic Mushrooms, Prosecutors Say An Ocean County woman was accused of using a child living in her home to sell psychedelic mushrooms, authorities said. Margaret Whalen, 60, of Lacey Township, was arrested on Wednesday, June 5. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced her charges in a news release. Lacey police were told by the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency in March that Whalen was using her Elwood Street home to make and sell psilocybin mushrooms. Officers executed a search warrant on the home on Wednesday, Mar. 13. Detectives seized several jars with suspected psychedelic mushrooms and…
Man Airlifted With Head Trauma After Pickup Crashes In South Jersey: Police Man Airlifted With Head Trauma After Pickup Crashes In South Jersey: Police
Man Airlifted With Head Trauma After Pickup Crashes In South Jersey: Police A man was airlifted to the hospital after crashing his pickup in Ocean County, authorities said. Berkeley Township police responded to a single-vehicle crash on Dover Road near the Lacey Township border at around 3:51 p.m. on Tuesday, Apr. 30, the department said in a news release. Officers found a gray Ford F-150 partially in the road with extensive damage. A 49-year-old man drove the pickup and was lying in the road after he was ejected from the passenger side. Investigators said he was driving south when the truck went off the road and hit several trees. The driver suffered head tr…
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge
Beloved Lion With 'Majestic Roar' Dies After 10 Years At South Jersey Animal Refuge A beloved lion has died after spending a decade in the care of an Ocean County animal refuge. Simba died "after a very long and full life" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the Lacey Township sanctuary announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Apr. 30. He was brought to the park with three other big cats in 2014. Popcorn Park said Simba was among several animals that needed care after their owner in Alabama became sick and could no longer help them. "Simba was very personable and when we'd walk by he'd always get up to greet us," Popcorn Park executive director John Bergmann said in a sta…
Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies Blind 'One-Of-A-Kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies
Blind 'One-Of-a-kind' Kangaroo At Popcorn Park Animal Refuge Dies A blind kangaroo who was beloved at an Ocean County animal refuge has died, officials said. The red kangaroo named Winnie died after receiving care for "a myriad of health issues" at Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, the park said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, Apr. 18. Winnie arrived at the Lacey Township sanctuary in June 2022. Popcorn Park caretakers gave Winnie daily medicine and special veterinary visits so she could have "a peaceful, loving home." "However, throughout the past few weeks, her health began to decline, and unfortunately she was not responding to any medications or…
South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials
South Jersey Couple Accused Of Illegally Growing Marijuana To Stay In Jail Through Trials A Lacey Township couple accused of illegally selling large amounts of marijuana and having assault weapons will stay in jail through their trials, authorities said. On Tuesday, Apr. 2, a judge ordered John and Karen Vincentini, both 64 years old, to remain detained in the Ocean County Jail through their trials. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced the judge's orders in a news release. Lacey Township police received a report on Friday, Mar. 15 from someone who said a package of marijuana was delivered to their home in a repurposed Amazon box. Investigators deter…
South Jersey Trio Sold Heroin, Cocaine, PCP Throughout Ocean County: Prosecutors South Jersey Trio Sold Heroin, Cocaine, PCP Throughout Ocean County: Prosecutors
South Jersey Trio Sold Heroin, Cocaine, PCP Throughout Ocean County: Prosecutors Three people from South Jersey were accused of selling several types of drugs throughout Ocean County, authorities said. Eric Bowman, 34, of West Deptford, Shantal White, 28, of Brick Township, and Michael Kinsky, 46, of Lacey Township, were arrested after a two-month investigation. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer announced their arrests in a news release on Tuesday, Mar. 26. Lacey Township police and county prosecutor's office detectives began surveillance on Kinsky's home in early January. The county's SWAT team executed a search warrant on the home on Thursd…
Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors
Couple Found With 10 Pounds Of Marijuana, Assault Weapons In South Jersey: Prosecutors A Lacey Township couple was accused of illegally selling large amounts of marijuana and having assault weapons, authorities said. John and Karen Vincentini, both 64 years old, were arrested, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said in a news release on Friday, Mar. 22. They were given several drug and weapons charges. Lacey Township police received a report on Friday, Mar. 15 from someone who said a package of marijuana was delivered to their home in a repurposed Amazon box. Investigators determined that John Vincentini delivered the box. Police executed a search warrant on the Vince…
'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign 'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign
'Devastating Turn' For South Jersey Girl, 7, After Flu Complications: Campaign A Lacey Township girl was fighting for her life after complications from the flu, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page for seven-year-old Alena Robles said the Forked River girl was in a coma at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Her family wrote that she began feeling sick on Sunday, Mar. 10, and woke up with a headache the next day before having several seizures. Robles was rushed to the hospital's intensive care unit and doctors said her flu infection has caused severe encephalitis. "The medical team is working tirelessly to combat the sw…