Manalapan Police Blotter

Manalapan police recently investigated several burglary cases, including a burglary at a vacant home and a burglary to an unlocked vehicle.

They also arrested defendants on drug charges and are investigating several fraud cases, police said.

According to Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

Sept. 26

Around 12:52 a.m., patrols were conducting a DWI checkpoint on Route 9 South in Manalapan Township. Patrolman Jared Coupland detected the odor of burnt and raw marijuana emanating from within a vehicle, while he was speaking with the driver. A passenger of the vehicle, Alan F. Jackson III, 19, of Old Bridge, was found to be in possession of marijuana and a drug paraphernalia. Jackson was placed under arrest, transported to the Manalapan Township Police Department where he was processed and released on complaint summonses pending court. Officer Jared Coupland handled the arrest.

Sept. 25

At 10:19 p.m. patrols responded to a one-car motor vehicle accident on Taylors Mill Road where the vehicle struck a utility pole. The driver was found to be driving under the influence and was placed under arrest. Drug paraphernalia was found in the vehicle and the driver was additionally charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of heroin. The driver, Alex Burhutin, 20, of Manalapan, was arrested, processed and released pending court. Officer Brian Cruse handled the investigation.

Around 10:17 a.m., a 55-year-old Manalapan man responded to police headquarters to file a fraud report. The victim advised that an unknown individual used his debit card on Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 and incurred over $5,000 in unauthorized charges. Officer Brian Schank handled the investigation.

Sept. 24

Around 5:41 p.m., Patrolman Matt Porricelli responded to a Manalapan resident’s home for a report of fraud. The victim related their credit card was used for an unauthorized online purchase in the amount of $99.99. The victim advised that they had already cancelled their credit card. Patrolman Matt Porricelli handled the report.

Around 8:00 a.m. Patrolman Aaron Abeles responded to the WaWa on Woodward Road for a report of vandalism. The victim a 26-year-old Manalapan man reported that sometime between the hours of 7:40 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. someone broke his rear hatch window while he was shopping inside. If anyone has any further information regarding this case, they are asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. Patrolman Aaron Abeles handled the report.

Around 12:20 p.m., a 54-year-old Manalapan woman responded to police headquarters to file a fraud report. The victim advised that someone used her personal information to open a credit card, bank account, and apply for a loan. Officer Brian Schank handled the investigation.

Around 12:07 p.m., a 37-year-old Manalapan woman responded to police headquarters to file a fraud report. The victim advised that someone sent her a $1,930 fraudulent check for a chair lift listed on Craig’s List for $900 and deceived her into using $1,001.65 of her own funds for moving costs. This case is pending investigation. Officer Morgan Joiner is handling the investigation.

Sept. 22

At 7:56 p.m., patrols responded to Deer Way for a report of a suspicious person in the area. Investigation revealed that someone forced entry into a vacant residence on Deer Way. The burglary pried open the rear door and made entry before leaving through the front door. A neighbor observed a white male in his late 20’s, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall, and 150 pounds, wearing tan shorts and a hat walking out the front door. Upon walking out of the residence the man got on a black bike and left the area. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Manalapan Police Department. Officer Anthony Cascella handled the investigation.

Around 12:06 a.m., Officer Kimberly Whitehill attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on Rt. 9 north in the area of Covered Bridge. The operator of the vehicle, Elliot Fuchs, 26, of Lakewood, did not stop his vehicle and disregarded the patrol officer’s attempts to stop him for approximately nine miles. Once stopped Fuchs was arrested on an eluding charge and transported to the Manalapan Township Police Department where he was processed and released. Fuchs was also issued five motor vehicle summons before being released. This case is pending court. Officer Kimberly Whitehill handled the arrest.

Sept. 21

Around 11:02 p.m., a 29-year-old tow truck driver attempted to repossess a 2011 Ford pickup truck from a residence in Manalapan. The registered owner of the truck, a 51-year-old man, and his 23-year-old son unlawfully tried to prevent the tow truck driver from removing the vehicle by breaking the tow cable and bridle of the tow truck. The damage was valued at $250. Officer Jennie Rae Hensley is handling the investigation.

Around 6:15 p.m. a 37-year-old Manalapan woman reported the theft of a bicycle. Someone stole the bicycle from the driveway of a Longwood Drive home. The bicycle was stolen on Sept. 21, between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.. The bicycle was described as a red 12 inch Huffy, with a decal of Disney’s Cars character Lighting McQueen #95 on it. Patrolman Mark Casagrande is handling the investigation.

Around 5:43 p.m. a 43-year-old Manalapan man reported his unlocked vehicle had been burglarized over the weekend. The incident occurred on Oldwyck Court between Sept. 18 at 5 p.m. and Sept. 21 at 7:30 a.m.. An unknown actor removed a Garmin GPS Unit and prescription pills. Patrol Mark Casagrande is handling the investigation.

Around 4:55 p.m., a 29-year-old Manalapan woman responded to headquarters to report a theft of her front vehicle license plate and an E-Z pass sensor that was located on the front of her vehicle. The theft occurred sometime between 5 p.m. on Sept. 20 and 8 a.m. Sept. 21. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Manalapan Police Department. Officer Matthew Mattia handled the report.

Sept. 19

Around12:18 a.m., Officer Eric Voorand observed a motorcycle traveling at 86 mph on Woodward Road. When the officer attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop on the motorcycle, the rider attempted to elude the officer. The rider accelerated the motorcycle up to 120 mph and violated numerous motor vehicle laws to try to get away from the officer. The officer was able to catch up to the motorcycle and arrested Daniel Smith, 33, of Manalapan. He was charged with eluding and numerous motor vehicle violations. Daniel was released and the case is pending court.

Sept. 18

Around 4:30 p.m., a 56-year-old Jackson resident reported one of his customers was refusing to pay him for his work completed for the amount of $600. The customer, a 50-year-old Manalapan resident reported the landscaper’s job was not finished, and he did not want to pay for another days worth of work. Both parties were referred to civil court. Officer Christopher Makwinski handled the report.

Sept. 17

Around 11:48 p.m., police were called to the Manalapan Diner for a report of a theft. The victim, a 57-year-old Manalapan resident, reported that someone had taken his motorcycle helmet off of his motorcycle while he was inside the diner eating. The stolen helmet had a CB attachment, and the value of the stolen property is valued at $280. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. This incident is under investigation by Officer Jason Vigneault.

Around 7:46 p.m., two pedestrians walking along the side of Route 522 near the Englishtown border were struck by a vehicle that fled from the scene without stopping. The two Manalapan Township residents, an 18-year-old man and a 23-year-old man, sustained non­life threatening injuries and were transported to Centra State Medical Center for treatment. The suspect vehicle is described as a four­door, metallic brown or beige vehicle. The passenger side mirror was damaged and broke off. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Officer Jared Coupland who is the investigating officer.

Sept. 16

At 7:58 p.m. Officer Jared Coupland responded to Sports Authority on Route 9 for a report of shoplifting. Three men, who were 20­ 30-years-old, 5 feet 7 inches to 6 feet tall, and weighing 170 to190 pounds, entered the store and removed 3 pairs of Nike sneakers totaling $300. Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Manalapan Township Police Department. This incident is under investigation by Officer Jared Coupland.