Police Blotter: Drunken Driver Winds Up at Oyster Creek's Gates

A drunken driver lost his way and caused a security alert at the Oyster Creek Nuclear Generating Station, according to Lacey Township police.

Francis Burke, 65, of Beachwood, was charged with driving while intoxicated and reckless driving after his car was found sitting at Gate 3 of the power plant by Patrolman Charles May on June 30, Lieutenant Jim Veltri said.

Police were called to the plant about 11:30 p.m. by plant security after security personnel saw a car sitting at Gate 3. Upon arrival, May found that Burke had first driven up to Gate 1, then to Gate 3, by accident because he had become disoriented.

June 25: Residents of a First Street home reported that an unknown burglar had entered the house's crawl space and stolen copper pipping that was valued at just under $1,200.

June 25: Police were called to the Family Dollar store on Lacey Road because two women were being detained on suspicion of shoplifting, after employees noticed the women were behaving suspiciously in the store. Upon being confronted, the women returned $88 worth of items concealed in their carry bags. The women — described as in their late teens or early 20s — fled the store but an investigation allowed police to determine the identity of one of the women.

June 25: Two vehicles were damaged and a mailbox knocked down at an East Panama Court residence, causing $500 in damage to one vehicle and more than $100 in damage to the other vehicle. Someone threw the home's garbage cans onto one vehicle, causing dents and scratches, and threw a window screen removed from the other onto the other vehicle. An outdoor sprinkler system was damaged as well, and the mailbox at another residence nearby was missing. A party had been held at another residence during the time period may have been related to the vandalism.

June 25: David Smith, 34, of Toms River was arrested on an outstanding warrant of $250 related to a municipal ordinance violation. He was taken to the Ocean County Jail, Toms River. He was unable to post bail.

June 26: A tenant at a Pensacola Road home reported to Patrolman Paul Sullivan that someone entered the home and stole copper pipe for the hot water heater, valued at $50, a second $50 worth of copper for the home and $150 worth of scrap metal. An estimated $500 in damage was done in the residence as well.

June 27: A Freehold resident filed a report that someone stole the stainless steel propeller off his boat while it was in dry dock at Laurel Harbor Marina. The propeller is valued at $400.

June 27: An East Panama Court resident reported someone stole the mailbox from their home.

June 27: St. Pius X church officials reported that a vandal or vandals damaged a stop sign on the church's property, making four holes in it and causing $50 in damage. It was at least the second incident in a month at St. Pius, after someone spraypainted a statue on the grounds.

June 28: Patrolman Ewart took a report from a Beverly Road resident that a bicycle valued at $400 was stolen after it was left in the yard unsecured. The bicycle was found abandoned a few streets away a short time later and was returned to the owners.

June 29: An Alpine Road resident reported that items valued at $800 were taken from a vehicle left unlocked in front of the residence. Among the items were two tool boxes with tools and a collection of music CDs.

June 30: A Serpentine Drive resident reported a glass bottle was thrown through a window of the residence, causing $400 in damage.

June 30: A Haines Street resident reported that the door was torn off their mailbox and then the door thrown onto the home's front porch.

July1: An Apple iPad valued at $400 was taken from a Cedar Drive residence. There was no forced entry.

July 1: On Anchorage Drive, a resident reported that a large landscaping rock was used to damage the windshield of a 2004 Ford pickup. A suspect has been developed in the case. Patrolman May took the report and assisted.

July 2: A Mays Landing resident reported she was walking along Route 9 near Lakeside Drive when she was accosted by an unknown assailant. The assailant took the woman's denim carry bag. The bag and its contents were valued at $180.