Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Crime scene Middletown: A Busy Memorial Day Weekend

PREPARED BY DETECTIVE LIEUTENANT STEPHEN DOLLINGER

On May 26, 2011 at approximately 3:30 pm Corporal Bernie Chenoweth responded to a residence on Bray Avenue in reference to an unknown subject standing in a wooden doll house in the backyard. Upon arrival Officer Chenoweth located the subject, identified as Timothy McDougall, age 37, from Route 36 in West Keansburg, NJ, standing inside the doll house.

Corporal Chenoweth continued his investigation and determined that McDougall had showered and slept in a camper on the property and when it became too hot inside the camper he moved to the doll house where he went back to sleep.

McDougall was placed under arrest and was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Burglary and Criminal Trespass. He was processed and held on $12,500.00 bail.

On May 27, 2011 at approximately 6:40 pm Sergeant Paul Bailey and Patrolman Donald Coates were assigned to a Cops in Shops detail at the Port Monmouth Foodtown when they observed a male subject, identified as Lukas Touder, age 22, from Illinois Avenue in Port Monmouth, NJ, attempt to purchase alcohol for three 15 year old females.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in all four subjects being arrested. Touder was charged with Attempting to purchase alcohol for someone under the legal age to possess it. He was processed and released on a summons pending a court date. The three females were charged with Attempting to have an adult purchase alcohol for them. They were processed and released to their parents or guardians pending a court date.

On May 27, 2011 at approximately 6:40 pm Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Richard Fulham were on patrol in the area of Ocean Avenue when they observed a subject, identified as Harold Johnson, age 29, from Harbor Way in Middletown, operating a vehicle. The officers were aware that there was an active Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Keansburg Municipal Court for Johnson’s arrest.

The officers stopped the vehicle and placed Johnson under arrest. The officers searched him incident to the arrest and located a pipe used to smoke Marijuana and a small quantity of Marijuana in his pockets.

Johnson was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Contempt of Court, Possession of under 50 grams of Marijuana and Possession of drug paraphernalia. He was processed and held on bail.


On May 27, 2011 at approximately 7:20 pm Sgt. William Colangelo and Corporal Douglas Wiatrak were assigned to a “Cops in Shops” detail at the Bottle King store when they observed, Sarah Glickman, age 21, from Borden Road in Middletown, purchase alcohol for Shannon Playter, age 20, from Palmer Avenue in Middletown.

Both subjects were placed under arrest and were transported to police headquarters. Glickman was charged with Purchasing alcohol for someone under the age of 21 and Playter was charged with Having an adult purchase alcohol for her. Both subjects were processed and released pending a court date.

On May 27, 2011 at approximately 9:55 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the area of Ocean Avenue in reference to a dispute taking place in the street. Upon arrival Officer Keenan determined that the dispute was between two neighbors over a parking problem.

Corporal Keenan conducted an investigation which resulted in Peter Palumbo, age 50, from Ocean Avenue in Middletown being arrested for Disorderly Conduct and Criminal Mischief. Palumbo had punched the neighbor’s mailbox causing damage to it. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

On May 27, 2011 at approximately 10:50 Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Richard Fulham were on patrol in the area of Highway 36 when they observed a vehicle being operated at a high rate of speed and recklessly changing lanes. The officers stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Robert Oakley, age 18, from Caldwell Avenue in Belford.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in Oakley being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. The officers continued their investigation and determined that a 16 year old female passenger was in Possession of alcohol underage. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters for processing.

Oakley was charged with the additional offense of Reckless Driving and was released pending a court date. The 16 year old female was processed and released to her mother pending a court date.

On May 28, 2011 at approximately 6:50 pm Sgt. William Colangelo and Patrolman Frank Mazza were assigned to a “Cops in Shops” detail at the Bottle King Store when they observed Stephen Cronin, age 22, from Buchanan Boulevard in Middletown, purchase alcohol for John Cronin, age 18, also from Buchanan Boulevard in Middletown.

The officers conducted an investigation which resulted in Stephen Cronin being arrested for Purchasing Alcohol for a person under the legal age and John Cronin being charged with Having an adult purchase alcohol for him. Both subjects were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.

On May 28, 2011 at approximately 10:15 pm Sgt. Sean Sweeney and Corporal Douglas Wiatrak were assigned to a “Cops in Shops” detail at Junction Bar and Liquors when they observed Morgan Brittain, age 19, from Washington Avenue in Leonardo and Christele Beam, age 18, from Kenneth Terrace East in Middletown, attempt to purchase alcohol underage.

Both subjects were issued summonses and released pending a court date.

On May 29, 2011 at approximately 2:10 am Patrolman Albert Scott was assigned to a DWI check point in the area of Highway 35 and Navesink River Road when a vehicle driven by Shawn Kelly, age 37, from Center Avenue in Leonardo drove into the check point. Officer Scott approached the vehicle at which point he detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Kelly’s breath.

Officer Scott continued his investigation which resulted in Kelly being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated and Open Alcohol in a motor vehicle. Kelly was searched incident to the arrest at which point Patrolman Scott located a baggie containing Marijuana in Kelly’s pants pocket.

Kelly was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with the additional offense of Possession of under 50 grams of Marijuana. He was processed and released pending a court date.

On May 29, 2011 at approximately 2:40 am Corporal James Keenan was on patrol in the area of Ocean Avenue and Port Monmouth Road when he observed a vehicle commit a stop sign violation. Officer Keenan stopped the vehicle and approached the driver, identified as Shawn Schmidt, age 38, from Magnolia Avenue in Hazlet, NJ. The officer detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from Schmidt’s breath.

Officer Keenan conducted an investigation which resulted in Schmidt being arrested for Driving While Intoxicated. He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with the additional offenses of Failing to stop at a stop sign, and Failing to produce a valid insurance card. He was processed and released pending a court date.

On May 29, 2011 6:00 pm Sgt. William Colangelo responded to the area of Highway 36 and 9th Street in reference to a motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival Sgt. Colangelo spoke with the driver, identified as James Goodbody, age 32, from Union Place in Middletown and detected a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath.

Sgt. Colangelo conducted an investigation which resulted in Goodbody being arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated, Refusal to submit to breath tests and Reckless Driving. He was processed and released pending a court date.

On May 30, 2011 at approximately 1:00 pm Sgt. William Colangelo was on patrol in the area of Highway 36 near Thousand Oaks drive when he observed a vehicle being operated by a driver who was not wearing his seatbelt. Sgt. Colangelo stopped the vehicle and approached the driver. While doing so he observed the rear seat passenger, identified as Brihanna Cuttone, age 18, from Troy Drive in Springfield, NJ, attempt to hide a small baggie.

Sgt. Colangelo conducted an investigation which resulted in Cuttone being arrested for Possession of under 50 grams of Marijuana. She was transported to police headquarters where she was processed and released pending a court date.


The Middletown Police Department arrested the following subjects on warrants:

Samuel Torres, age 22, from Raymond Court in Hazlet, NJ, arrested on May 29, 2011 by Patrolman Frank Mazza on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Anadale Municipal Court. He was released after posting $89.00 bail.

Royal Clark, age 46, from 5th Street in Highlands, NJ, arrested on May 26, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant.

Nelson Baptista, age 19, from Garrison Street in Newark, NJ, arrested on May 27, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Pintilie on a Contempt of Court warrant. He was released after posting $2,500 bail.

Barbara Werner, age 62, from Main Street in Keansburg, NJ, arrested on May 27, 2011 by Patrolman Michael Pintilie on numerous Contempt of Court warrants issued by a variety of municipal courts. She was released after posting $2,900 bail.
Mayra Gomez-Vallejo, age 43, from Pacific Avenue in Los Angeles, CA, arrested on May 27, 2011 by Patrolman Adam Vendetti on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was released after posting $500.00 bail.

Lori Gallagher, age 51, from Tatum Drive in Middletown, arrested on May 27, 2011 by Patrolman Ian May on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Summit City Municipal court. She was released after posting bail.

Russell Dunn, age 23, from Highland Avenue in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on May 30, 2011 by Patrolman Ian May on a Failure to Appear warrant issued by the Atlantic County Superior Court. He was held with a no bail stipulation at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility.

Megan Gingerelli, age 22, from Kimberly Court in Red Bank, NJ, arrested on May 31, 2011 by Patrolman Richard Belmonte on a Contempt of Court warrant issued by the Middletown Municipal Court. She was held on $1,000.00 bail.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Mike,

you ran the police blotter which showed my daughter being arrested for allegedly buying liquor for someone under age. I was furious because I knew this arrest was bullshit. I subsequently learned it was part of the darling of media and pols "Cops in Shops."

Notwithstanding the fact that I am surprised you run these blotter stories - at least you have disclaimers that arrested doesn't mean guilty. To me, blotter stories have always been just easy fill for lazy journalists.

Yesterday was her trial. The judge completely dismissed the case and admonished the police that they had no evidence whatsoever. That didn't really matter to them. Cops in Shops is a grant from the State. They just have to prove standing around in liquor stores dressed as employees is worth our tax dollars by reporting arrests on their grant reports.

Well it matters to me. The lawyer, who did his job well, cost $1,000. My daughter had to skip a day of college and buy a round trip train ticket from New England for the trial. Finally, the fact that you published the arrest on your blog means that stays in internet land forever. Anytime a future employer searches her name this may come up and the employer may not want to bother asking what happened. He's got 100s of other resumes to look through.

So you of all people have stood with the cops regardless of someone's innocence.

Have you ever followed up to these blotter stories? How about inviting people to write you after their trials so you can show the cops aren't always chasing the bad guys, just the grant money.