Police Blotter: Walmart Shoplifting Call Leads to Drug Charges
A Lanoka Harbor resident faces drug charges after allegedly taking about $25 from the store
A shoplifting call at Lacey Walmart led township police to make a drug arrest last week.
Officer Kimbery Gudgeon responded to the superstore on Jan. 11 and arrested Cassandra Gerne, a 21-year-old from Lanoka Harbor who allegedly stole about $25 or merchandise, said Lt. James Veltri.
When police searched Gerne, they found 67 empty glassine folds, which Veltri said are used to store heroin.
In addition to shoplifting, Gerne faces charges for heroin possession and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was also issued a summons for possession of a hypodermic needle, Veltri said. Gerne was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River where her bail was set at $15,000.
Veltri said police also issued the following charges:
Jan. 9
Ptl. Sam Dellasala reponded to Hazelton Avenue on a report that a resident returned home to find that a front window was shattered and holes were made in the siding. Veltri said that the damage to the home, which was apparently caused by a BB gun, was valued at $400.
Jan. 10
Police said that an unknown actor or actors took about $7,000 worth of jewelry from a Hemlock Lane home in Forked River. Ptl. Jeff Slota responded and Veltri said that there was no sign of forced entry.
Jan. 11
Ptl. Sam Dellasala responded to the Starbound Travel/Dancer's Travel on Route 9 where to take a report of a damaged exterior wooden business sign. Veltri said that the value of the sign was placed at $2,000.
Jan. 12
In an unrelated incident on Hemlock Lane, officer Jeff Slota responded to a home where it was reported that a jar containing about $400 worth of change was stolen. Veltri said that there had been no reported burglary to the home.
The above charges are not an indication of guilt.
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4Liberty
8:44 am on Wednesday, January 18, 2012
It seems to me that Wal-Mart has done more to expose and combat the drug problem in Lacey Township then the TC and BOE put together. Maybe we should build one in the Forked River Beach area, you never know they might help shut down a meth lab or two. Kudos to WalMart’s and their security.
linda
9:35 am on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I had no idea the drug problem was so bad there....there is meth labs?
K
2:16 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
no so sure about meth labs but alot of herion
Karen Middle
3:02 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
Yes there are meth labs and heroin is brought into lacey via BARNEGAT!!
karen Matthews-castillo
7:43 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
I'm hearing that this is true about Lacey. A lot of drugs.
John Doe
9:26 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
The high school kids say that out of town students have called the LTHS "Heroin High" for years.
JOHNNY Done it
10:08 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
IT DOESNT reflect good on this town & specially to the police dept..I guess its slective enforcement .Specially when some of its residence know where the meth labs are and they notified the police...
Bewildered
10:18 pm on Thursday, January 19, 2012
Drug Poll
Does Lacey Township have a drug problem?
Yes O No O
Do you believe that the Lacey Police are focused on the drug problem?
Yes O No O
Do you think the Lacey TC and BOE are doing enough to combat the drug problem? Yes O No O
Do you think Lacey’s elected officials have their heads buried in the sand?
Yes O No O
Do you believe Lacey doesn’t have a drug problem, just dopes running it? Yes O No O
Sick and Tired
9:58 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
@ Johnny D...you're right. It doesn't reflect good on the town or the PD. However, when was the last time you read or heard about the PD hiring? 2007. Since then, the PD has dwindled to DANGEROUS levels due to retirements. The PD does what they can with what they have.
Miche
12:51 pm on Saturday, January 28, 2012
THIS TOWN NEEDS HELP
Karen Middle
3:07 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
WE NEED TO ALL STICK TOGETHER NOW NOT TURN ON ONE ANOTHER AND FIGHT THIS HEAD ON< IF COPS ARE TURNING A BLIND EYE (ALOT OF PROOF) THEY ALSO SOULD GO DOWN, SAME WITH THE COUNSEL PEOPLE WE FOOLS VOTE THESE PEOPLE IN THIS IS WHY WE HAVE A VOICE USE IT. Like that lady M'linda koola, SHE HAS BALLS AND YET WE TURN ON HER, WHY ARE WE SCARED SHE IS RIGHT. DAMN STRIGHT WE ARE!! I wish she lived in my neighborhood maybe us Senior and get some sleep and not worrying if these kids are going to steal our S.S> checks!!!!