Forked River Man Arrested for Alleged New Years Eve Assault

Police arrested a Forked River man in relation to a New Years Eve assault after issuing an arrest warrant.

Dominick Difortuna, 18, was charged with robbery after Lacey police arrested him on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Police responded to a residence on Lakeside Drive South on Dec. 31 at 11:15 p.m. A 22-year-old Forked River male along with a 19-year-old Forked River female reported that they were invited to the home to celebrate New Years Eve.

Upon entering, the male was physically attacked, assaulted and robbed of $40 in cash and a cell phone valued at $600, Lt. James Veltri said. While attempting to help the male, the female was punched in her face.

Difortuna was sent to the Ocean County Jail in lieu of his bail, which was set at $150,000 in full cash.

Police still have a warrant out for the arrest of Matthew Copeland, 21, of Forked River in relation to the same assault.

Residents who know the whereabouts of Copeland or have additional information regarding the incident are asked to call the police, Veltri said. Any information will be taken in confidence.

Copeland has been arrested several times in the last year:

for stealing a necklace and chain, trespassing at the home of a woman on Taylor Avenue and having Oxycodone.

Copeland was previously indicted for on March 10 in Lacey. He has also been charged in three unrelated incidents with f after allegedly refusing to return a missing cell phone; after he allegedly burglarized a car parked at Walmart; and after allegedly trespassing in the woods.