Crime & Safety

On the Beat with Middletown Police: Arresting Update, April 12-17

Several arrests in a few days' time on various charges

Middletown police arrested several people within a few days' time on charges ranging from shoplifting, to drug possession, to unlawful possession of a weapon and terroristic threats ...

On April 17, at 7 p.m., police responded to the Shop Rite store on Route 35 in reference to a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival, store security informed the officers that they observed someone stealing numerous items of food and then leave the store. Security provided the officers with a description of the subject and the plate number of his vehicle.

Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia responded to the address listed on the vehicle’s registration and located the subject, identified as Brian Bowers, 30, of Griggs Avenue in Port Monmouth section of the townshi. Officer Fenezia conducted a follow up investigation which resulted in the arrest of Bowers and the recovery of the stolen items.

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Bowers was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with shoplifting and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.

On April 17, 2011 at 11:15 a.m., Patrolman Keith Hirschbein responded to the area of the Fuel One Gas station located on Route 36 in reference to a report of a truck that had been found in a wooded area near the roadway. It appeared the truck had been involved in a motor vehicle accident.

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Patrolman Hirschbein conducted a follow up investigation and located the owner, identified as Harold Johnson, 29, of Hudson Avenue, Middletown. While speaking with Johnson he was found to be in possession of marijuana and Xanax.

He was placed under arrest and was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with possession of Xanax and possession of under 50 grams of marijuana. He was processed and released on a summons pending a court date.

On April 17, 2011 at 4:15 p.m., Patrolman Frank Mazza was dispatched to the Kohl's store in reference to a report of a shoplifting. While en route to the store, a description of the vehicle involved in the theft which had fled the scene was broadcasted to responding units.

Officer Mazza located the vehicle on Route 35 near Twinbrooks Drive. The follow-up investigation resulted in the arrests of Kim Martisch, 49, and Vincent Mielnicki, 31, both of Ash Street in Union Beach. Patrolman Mazza was able to recover the items stolen from the Kohls store as well as other items that had been allegedy stolen from K-Mart and Toys R Us.

Both were charged with shoplifting, conspiracy to commit shoplifting and receiving stolen property. Mielnicki was held on $25,000 bail and Martisch was held on $10,000 bail set by Judge Richard Thompson. Patrolman Bernard Chenoweth assisted with the arrests.

On April 17, at 7 p.m., police responded to the Shop Rite store on Route 35 in reference to a report of shoplifting. Upon arrival, store security informed the officers that they observed someone stealing numerous items of food and then leave the store. Security provided the officers with a description of the subject and the plate number of his vehicle.

Patrolman Nicholas Fenezia responded to the address listed on the vehicle’s registration and located the subject, identified as Brian Bowers, 30, of Griggs Avenue in Port Monmouth section of the township. Officer Fenezia conducted a follow up investigation which resulted in the arrest of Bowers and the recovery of the stolen items.

Bowers was transported to police headquarters where he was charged with shoplifting and was released on a summons pending a court appearance.

On April 15 at 8:10 p.m., police responded to the area of Kimberly Court in reference to a report of a subject who was threatening another person with a gun.

Upon arrival police were advised by the victim that the subject, identified as Gary Love, 23, from Aberdeen Proving  Grounds Military Base in Maryland, had come to the area and argued with the victim.

During the argument Love allegedly pulled a handgun from his waistband and began waiving it around and threatening the victim. Love fled the scene prior to police arrival.

Officers on scene determined that Love headed towards Earle Naval Base in Colts Neck and provided Love’s description as well as the description of his vehicle to the front gate of the naval base. Naval officers stopped him at the gate and detained him until Middletown officers arrived.

Patrolman Donald Coates and Richard Belmonte responded to Earle. The officers continued their investigation which resulted in the recovery of the handgun.

Love was placed under arrested charged with possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose, unlawful possession of a handgun and terroristic threats. He was held on $25,000 bail with no 10 percent option set by Judge Richard Thompson.

On April 12 at 10:15 a.m., police responded to a residence on Middletown Avenue in reference to a fight in progress. Upon arrival, officers located a subject walking away from the area. The officers stopped the subject, whom they determined provided them with a fictitious name and date of birth.

The officers continued their investigation and properly identified the subject as Jason Melton, 33, of Cramer Street, Camden.

Patrolmen Joseph Ahlemeyer and Stephen Keller arrested Melton and charged him with hindering apprehension and obstructing the administration of law. The officers also located two outstanding warrants of out Camden and Haddon Township Municipal Courts and a parole violation warrant which were issued for his arrest. He was held on $19,414 bail.

While conducting an investigation into the fight other officers on scene observed another subject running from the area. The officers chased the subject on foot through neighboring streets and yards until he was finally taken into custody. The subject also provided officers with a fictitious name.

The officers were able to determine that the subject was Robert Jeffcoat, 29, of 30 Middletown Ave., Atlantic Highlands. He was charged with hindering apprehension and was processed and released on a summons pending a court date.


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