Man Who Lit Car On Fire Also Shoplifted In Lacey: Police Blotter

LACEY, NJ — The man who broke into cars to steal loose change before setting a fire inside one also tried to steal hundreds of dollars in merchandise from the Forked River Home Depot, according to the Lacey Township Police Blotter for Aug. 18 through Aug. 24.

Shoplifting/Warrant Arrest: On Thursday, August 18, 2022, at 5:11 p.m., Officer Ricciardella responded to the Home Depot, 244 North Main Street, Forked River, for a reported shoplifting. The store employee advised Officer Ricciardella that they had observed an unknown male select numerous pieces of merchandise from within the business, place the items inside of a shopping cart, and attempt to leave the store without paying for them. When he was confronted by the employee as he was nearing the exit, the suspect abandoned his shopping cart and fled into the parking lot. The merchandise was valued in excess of $370.00. Officers were able to identify the suspect as Brian Salters, 43, of Forked River. A warrant was later issued for Salters.

On Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 2023 hours, Officer Pandorf located Salters at a Seabright Road residence, and placed him under arrest on the Lacey Township warrant. Salters was transported to police headquarters where he was processed before being lodged in the Ocean County Correctional Facility, without incident.

Theft: On August 19, 2022, at 4:03 p.m., Officer Biel responded to a Laurel Boulevard residence and met with a complainant who wished to report a theft. The complainant advised that sometime between August 16 and August 18, 2022, his wood chipper was stolen from the backyard of the residence. The wood chipper was valued at approximately $200.00. There are no suspects at this time.

Warrant Arrest/Assist Other Agency: On Friday, August 19, 2022, at 4:10 p.m., the Lacey Township Police Department was contacted by the Stafford Township Police Department regarding a shoplifting incident that had just occurred in their jurisdiction, and requested that we check a residence in our town for the suspects and their vehicle. Officers Pandorf and Gant, along with Special Officer Lepeshko, responded to a Harzold Road residence, and made contact with the two suspects, Michael Claudy, 36, and Rachael Wimmer, 31, both of Forked River. Both Claudy and Wimmer were arrested on warrants issued out of Stafford Township and turned over to the Stafford Township Police Department without incident.

Warrant Arrest: On Saturday, August 20, 2022, at 12:03 a.m., Officers Walsh and Watkins responded to a Nautilus Boulevard residence for a report of a wanted person inside the home. Upon their arrival, officers made contact with Joseph Hover, 35, of Forked River. Hover was found to have an outstanding warrant originating out of the Burlington County Superior Court, as well as an additional Berkeley Township Municipal Court warrant. Hover was arrested and transported to the Ocean County Correctional Facility, where he was lodged without incident.

Theft: On Monday, August 22, 2022, at 11:44 a.m., Officer D’Antonio responded to Walmart for a report of a theft of customer’s bicycle. Upon Officer D’Antonio’s arrival, the victim advised that his bicycle was stolen from the side of the business a short time earlier. Officers reviewed video surveillance of the theft, but were unable to identify the suspect. The victim’s bicycle was valued at approximately $50.