On the Beat with Middletown Police: Arresting Update, April 21-May 1

From April 21 through May 1, Middletown police arrested several people on charges ranging from assault of a police officer to driving while intoxicated, bicycle theft, shoplifting and criminal mischief ...

On May 1 at 1:15 a.m., Patrolman Donald Coates responded to the area of Bray Avenue in reference to a report of a subject passed out on the front lawn of a residence. Upon arrival Officer Coates located Joseph Meehan, 18, of Lohsen Place, Middletown, lying on the lawn.

Patrolman Coates continued his investigation that resulted in Meehan being arrested for disorderly conduct. He was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released on a summons pending a court date.

On May 1, at 2:35 a.m., Patrolman Frank Mazza was on patrol in the area of Oak Hill Road when he stopped a vehicle for a lamp maintenance violation. Officer Mazza conducted an investigation that resulted in the driver, Justin Sachs, 20, of Woodland Avenue, Laurence Harbor, being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, a motor vehicle offense.

Sachs was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released pending a court date.

On May 1 at 3 p.m., Patrolman Keith Hirschbein responded to the area of Wilson Avenue and the Henry Hudson Trail in reference to a report of several juveniles possibly smoking marijuana.

Upon arrival, Hirschbein located the group and conducted an investigation that resulted in a 16-year-old juvenile, of Wilson Avenue, Middletown, being arrested for possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, a disorderly persons offense. The juvenile was transported to police headquarters where he was processed and released to his mother pending a court date.

On May 1 at approximately 4:15 p.m., Patrolman Anthony Bumbico responded to the Wendy’s restaurant in reference to a report of a stolen bike. 

Approximately one hour later, Patrolman Raymond Sofield was on patrol in the area of Loraine Place when he was flagged down by the owner of the bike who reported seeing a male subject riding the bike in the area and provided the officer with his description.

Patrolman Sofield located the subject a short distance away and engaged in a brief foot pursuit of the 16-year-old juvenile, of East Church Street, Keansburg, who allegedly stole the bike.

When taken into custody the juvenile was found to be in possession of clothing and shoes that had been stolen from the Sears store in Middletown as well as the Marshalls, Old Navy and Models stores in Holmdel. He was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with theft, shoplifting, three counts of receiving stolen property and obstructing the administration of law. He was processed and released to his mother pending a court date.

On April 30 at 1 a.m., Patrolman Frank Mazza was on patrol in the area of Laurel Avenue when he observed a vehicle swerving in and out of its lane of travel. Mazza stopped the vehicle and conducted an investigation that resulted in the driver, Michael Kiernan, 45, of Creek Road, Keansburg, being arrested for driving while intoxicated, a motor vehicle offense. He was processed and released pending a court date.

On April 28, at 6:35 p.m., police responded to Sears, Route 35, in reference to an irate customer who was refusing to leave the store. Upon arrival officers were advised by store security that Gary Burke, 28, of East Mount Avenue, Atlantic Highlands, was attempting to return a weed whacker he had bought at the store but the lawn and garden section of the store was closed at the time. Burke was advised he would have to come back at a later time when he began to yell and scream at employees, which prompted the police to be called.

Patrolman Thomas Meckier and Patrolman Richard Fulham advised Burke that he would have to leave the store and were attempting to escort him out when Burke struck Patrolman Meckier with the weed whacker. The officers were able to place Burke under arrest with the help of other officers.

Burke was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with Aggravated Assault on a police officer, unlawful possession of a weapon (the weed whacker), possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and disorderly conduct. He was held on $17,500 bail with no 10 percent option, set by Judge Richard Thompson.

On April 22, Detective Daniel Sullivan received information from Detective Jason Lopez of the Keansburg Police Department that he had arrested two juveniles for committing car burglaries in the Keansburg area and had recovered items that had been stolen in similar type burglaries in Middletown. Detective Lopez also identified the suspects in the Middletown incidents.

Detectives Sullivan and Lopez conducted a joint investigation that resulted in the arrests of three for the Middletown burglaries. Middletown police arrested Raymond Pujols, 19, and Jonathan Pujols, 18, both of Raritan Avenue, Keansburg, and a 17-year-old juvenile from Main Street, Keansburg.

Raymond and Jonathan Pujols were both charged with two counts of burglary, theft and conspiracy and are being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold, on $15,000 bail each. The juvenile was charged with two counts of burglary, theft and conspiracy and was released pending a court date.

On April 21 and April 22, police responded to numerous reports of vehicles that had been damaged with spray paint on various streets located off of Harmony Road. Detective Kelly Godley was able to identify three juveniles from Middletown who were allegedly responsible for the damage.

Detective Godley conducted an investigation that resulted in three juveniles — two 13-year-olds and one 15-year-old — being charged with numerous counts of criminal mischief. All three juveniles were processed and released to their parents pending a court date.

The information concerning the above arrests was obtained directly from the Middletown Township Police Department's records. While all suspects have been arrested and charged with the named offenses, convictions depend on the outcome of court appearances. All are presumed innocent until proven guilty in that court of law.