Former Lacey Dentist Charged with Shoplifting from Walmart

A Forked River man was arrested after he allegedly shoplifted from Walmart on Sunday, Aug. 5, police said.

Officers were dispatched to Walmart at 7:40 p.m. on the report of an adult male being detained on suspicion of shoplifting. Alan Schwartz, 50, of Forked River was arrested and charged with shoplifting.

Schwartz had attempted to steal $48.78 of merchandise. He was processed and released.

He was , obtaining a controlled dangerous substance by fraud and health-care claims fraud.

Schwartz allegedly presented two prescription blanks for Percocet to two different pharmacies using prescription blanks from a Monmouth County dental office where he was employed part-time. He also worked as a general dentistry specialist at his practice in the Baycorp Building on Lacey Road.

According to the State of New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Schwartz surrendered his license to temporarily practice dentistry in May 2011.

Lt. James Veltri provided the following information:

Aug. 8
James Finch, 56, of Forked River was arrested after police pulled him over in a motor vehicle at 12:15 a.m.

Police received a call about a possibly intoxicated driver. A description of the car was provided, and police located the car traveling north on Route 9.

Finch was originally stopped for failure to maintain lane. He was issued summonses for failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, refusal to submit to breath test and DWI.

Aug. 5
Police responded to the Lacey Inn on a report of a possible dispute. While at the Lacey Inn, police encountered Edward Bailey, 41, of Forked River. Bailey had a $500 outstanding warrant issued by Jackson Township. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail not able to post bail. 

Aug. 4
A resident of Lawrence Drive in Lanoka Harbor reported that an unknown person stole 48 Colozapan pills valued at $25 from within the home. There was no sign of forced entry. 

Aug. 3
Police responded to the intersection of Route 9 and Taylor Lane at 11:30 p.m. on the report of a car that struck a utility pole.

Melissa Turchio, 23, of Barnegat was arrested and charged with DWI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle and one count of possession of a hypodermic needle. 

Aug. 3
At 10:30 p.m. officers responded to a report of a person possibly passed out in a vehicle parked at the 7-Eleven on Route 9.

Salvatore Marotte, 23, of Forked River received one complaint for possession of marijuana 50 grams or less and tickets for driving while suspended and possession of drugs in a motor vehicle. 

Aug. 3
Police reported to Lawrence Drive where a resident said that a custom five-spoke wheel, a tire for that wheel and a component for the motor vehicle was stolen. The car was parked in the residents’ driveway. The car was not operable at the time of the report. The total value of the stolen items is more than $1,200. 

Aug. 3
A resident of Oak Hollow Lane in Lanoka Harbor reported that someone gained entry into their home and stole collectibles and jewelry valued between $30,000 and $40,000. The patrol division was assisted at the scene by the detective bureau. 

Aug. 2
A resident of Lakeside Drive North reported that someone shattered his or her rear window to the car. There was $500 in damage. 

Aug. 2
A resident of Bobwhite Court in Forked River reported that an unknown person stole more than $4,000 of jewelry from within the home. There was no forced entry. 

Aug. 1
A police officer was running random license plates at 1:30 a.m. in the car computer when he noticed that a car’s registration was expired. The police officer conducted a motor vehicle stop and discovered that the driver John Zitani, 23, of Toms River, had a $114 warrant out of Pitman Township. He was taken into custody, posted bail and released. 

Aug. 1
Officers responded to Walmart for a male and female being detained on the suspicion of shoplifting. Michael Foster, 19, of Beachwood and Zakiyyah Hester, 19, of Toms River were charged with shoplifting and released on summonses.

Foster allegedly attempted to steal $22.60 of merchandise while Hester attempted to steal $10.97 worth of merchandise. 

Aug. 1
A resident from Lake Barnegat Drive reported that someone stole a mailbox valued at $50. 

July 31
A resident of Lakeside Drive South reported that a car parked outside the home was keyed. There was $300 in damage. 

July 31
A resident of Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor reported that someone stole more than $7,000 of jewelry from the home. There was no sign of forced entry. The detective bureau is investigating.