Manalapan Man Allegedly Led Police in a Car Chase

The following is a list of crimes and incidents reported in Manalapan between March 2 and March 8. The police blotter is provided directly by the Manalapan Township Police Department and is reproduced here, unedited. Minor incidents such as warrant arrests have been omitted.

Terroristic Threats

On Friday March 7th, 2014 at 2:13pm Officer Ross Dessel responded to police headquarters for a report.  Victim, a 39y/o B/M Manalapan resident, related that he recently filed for chapter 13. His Landlord was notified today and then the landlord threatened the victim via text message. 

Fraud

On March 6, 2014 at approximately 1:00 PM a 56 year old resident from Paddington Court wanted to report suspicious activity on her bank account. The resident reported she received a letter from her bank to confirm an address change. The resident did not file for an address change on her bank account and later found the change was done with her social security number. Similar fraudulent activity was done on her Verizon Wireless account. Ptl. Chris Makwinski handled the report.

Vehicle Burglary/Theft

On March 5th 2014, between 1:30 pm and 3:10 pm, an unknown actor entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle and stole an Apple iPad (with a red cover) valued at approximately $650.00.  The vehicle had been parked at 120 Craig Road (The Doctor’s Office lot) and 55 Rt. 9 (Wegmans parking lot).  The victim was a 57 year old white female Marlboro resident.  The victim later advised this agency that the ipad was located.  Ptl. B. Belardo handled the report. 

Fraud

On March 6th, 2014, at approximately 11:30am, a 55-year-old white male Manalapan resident responded to headquarters to report that an unknown person used his social security number to file a fraudulent income tax return. The incident was reported to the IRS and is pending further investigation. Ptl Robert Kelly took the report.

Eluding Police Officer, Obstruction, Speeding

On Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 at approximately 11:17pm, Ptl. Matthew Mattia was on patrol on Woodward Road and attempted to initiate a motor vehicle stop on a black Chevrolet Trailblazer operated by Matteo Ruggiero (Manalapan, NJ; 28 y/o White Male, Unemployed). Ruggerio proceeded to elude Ptl. Mattia in an effort to avoid being stopped. Upon stopping his vehicle on Roberts Road in Millstone Twp, Ruggerio was placed under arrest and charged with Eluding, Obstruction, and numerous motor vehicle violations after leading officers on a pursuit. He was processed at headquarters and transported to Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $26,000 bail.  Ptl. Matthew Mattia was the arresting officer with Ptl. Kim Whitehill, Ptl. Steve Turner, Ptl. Dennis O’Brien, and Ptl. Adam Sosnowski assisting.

Theft

On Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 at approximately 8:05pm, a (58 year old white female) employee of a business in the Yorktowne Plaza accused another employee (23 year old white male) of removing $50.00 from her purse. The victim alleged that this was the third instance where she had $50.00 removed from her purse making the total amount for the loss $150.00. The victim was advised of complaint procedures with the court. Ptl. Matthew Meyler handled the investigation.

Simple Assault/Disorderly Conduct

On Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 at approximately 3:30pm, a (40 year old white female) patient of a doctor’s office on Tennent Road allegedly threw red liquid contents of a drinking can in the direction of staff at the doctor’s office. The female became irate with the staff after she was told they did not accept her type of insurance. The female also allegedly used loud profanities towards the staff in the crowded waiting room portion of the office. The female had left the area upon police arrival. The victims were advised of complaint procedures with the court. Ptl. Matthew Meyler handled the investigation. 

Fraud

On Tuesday 03-04-14 at 2:53 pm the victim, an 18 year old white female Manalapan resident reported credit card fraud to this agency.  She advised that an unknown suspect used her debit card info and made $1,084.24 in purchases online.  The case is currently under investigation by Ptl. Jeff Emslie.

Fraud

On March 3rd, 2014 at approximately 5:55pm, Patrolman Philip Accatatta was dispatched to an Old Queens Blvd residence in regards to a fraud complaint. Upon arrival, the victim was identified as a 40 year old white female Manalapan resident. The victim stated unknown actor(s) opened four credit cards in her name and made purchases totaling $2589.53 in the state of Maryland. This case is pending further investigation.