Crime Scene Middletown: Storm Stories of Burglary and Shoplifting

Written by Middletown Township Police Department
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 -Arrests do not indicate convictions

On August 28, 2011 at approximately 1:55 pm Patrolman Carl Roth and Patrolman Anthony Gigante responded to area of Orchard Avenue in Belford in reference to a report of a neighborhood dispute. The officers were conducting their investigation when one of the involved subjects, identified as Christopher Melchionna, age 28, from Orchard Avenue in Belford, NJ, began to yell and scream obscenities.

The officers advised Melchionna numerous times to calm down but he refused at which point he was arrested for Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

On August 27, 2011 at approximately 10:05 pm Patrolman James Beirne responded to the Bevacqua’s store located on Port Monmouth Road in reference to a Burglary in progress. Upon arrival the officer was flagged down by a witness who advised the officer that he had observed three male subjects break into the store and then flee on foot. The witness advised the officer that the subjects had removed a piece of plywood that had been used to repair a broken window and then entered the store.

Officer Beirne radioed the description of the suspects provided by the witness to other officers in the area. Patrolman Albert Scott and Patrolman Ryan Riffert located the subjects on a nearby street. Officer Beirne continued his investigation which resulted in the arrests of George Echevarria, age 19, from Monmouth Parkway in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and Possession of Burglary Tools; James Georgianna, age 19, from Hudson Avenue in Middletown, NJ, for Burglary and a 15 year old male juvenile from Port Monmouth, NJ, being charged with Burglary.

The juvenile was released to his father pending a court date and Echevarri and Georgianna were held pending bail being set.

On August 27, 2011 at approximately 5:05 pm Corporal William Kennelly responded to the Shop Rite Store in reference to a shoplifting. Upon arrival store security advised the officer that they had observed a male, identified as Ryan Durosky, age 25, from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ and female subject, identified as Katrina Palys, age 25, also from East Highland Avenue in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, attempt to leave the store without paying for approximately $145.00 worth of merchandise.

Corporal Kennelly placed both subjects under arrest for Shoplifting. They were transported to police headquarters where they were processed and released pending a court date.

On August 27, 2011 at approximately 6:00 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the area of Wilson Avenue and Highway 36 in reference to a man down on the side of the road. Upon arrival the officer located the subject, identified as Charles Henshaw, age 45, from Front Street in Union Beach, NJ, who was extremely intoxicated and was attempting to stand up.

Officer Keenan assisted Henshaw and attempted to locate a family member to pick him up.

However, Henshaw became combative and unruly at which point he was placed under arrest for Disorderly Conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

On August 26, 2011 at approximately 4:20 pm Corporal James Keenan responded to the Foodtown Store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. Upon arrival the store manager advised the officer that he had observed a male subject, identified as Anthony Kane, age 44, from Randall Avenue in Hazlet, NJ, attempt to leave the store with deli meats and beer without paying for the merchandise. He was detained by store employees until police arrival.

Officer Keenan placed Kane under arrest for Shoplifting. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

On August 25, 2011 Patrolman Raymond Sofield and Patrolman Christopher Dee of the Quality of Life Unit arrested John Lachawiec, age 23, from Edgemore Road in Belford, NJ for Theft as a result of an investigation into the theft of a laptop computer and jewelry from his parent’s house.

The officers had received information developed by Patrolman Keith Hirschbein that Lachawiec had sold the stolen items to a pawn shop in Keansburg, NJ. The officers located the property at the pawn shop and arrested Lachawiec. He was processed and was held on $5,000.00 bail.

The Middletown Police Department reports the arrests of the following subjects for various offenses:

Damian Newell, age 19, from Nautilus Drive in Leonardo, NJ, arrested on August 27, 2011 by Patrolman Brain Dilworth for Simple Assault. He was held pending bail.