Crime & Safety

Police: Senior's Purse Snatched by Two Lacey Men

Both men were held at the Ocean County Jail on $75,000 bail

Two Lacey men were arrested on the strength of a $75,000 warrant issued by the Toms River Police Department related to robbery.

Michael Visinski, 26, was arrested when the Lacey Township Police Department responded to a residence on Maple Road in Lanoka Harbor on Nov. 3 at 11:56 p.m.

Toms River Police arrested Visinski along with Michael Sandella, 24, of Oak Hill Court in Lanoka Harbor after an investigation into a robbery and theft that occurred at 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon at Sears in the Ocean County Mall. 

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An 84-year-old Barnegat woman was in the parking lot when her purse was removed from her arm and the suspect ran across Hooper Avenue. A witness who observed a male in Bed, Bath and Beyond with a gold purse, notified the police.

The victim’s cellular phone and garage door opener were located in the public restroom in the toilet and her pocketbook minus $50 in cash was located a short time later on Lowell Avenue in Toms River.

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Both men were held at the Ocean County Jail on $75,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

Sears Loss Prevention officers also assisted.

Lt. James Veltri provided the following information:

Nov. 7
Collin Pohler, 20, of Bloomfield was arrested after a motor vehicle stop for two outstanding warrants. One warrant was $250 from Bloomfield and the other was $125 out of Newark. Pohler was taken into custody and released on his own recognizance.

Nov. 6
The glass portion of the drivers side mirror of a 2011 GMC Pickup was reported stolen at a business on Route 9 in Forked River at 6 p.m. The mirror was valued at $150.

At approximately 8:23 p.m., the glass portion of the driver’s side door mirror of a 2005 Chevy Pickup was reported stolen at the same business. The mirror was valued at $100.

Another resident of Lanoka Harbor reported that someone stole the glass portion of the driver’s door mirror of their 2004 Chevy Pickup on Monday, Nov. 7. The truck was also parked at the same business between 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The mirror was valued at $100.

Nov. 6
Lawrence Girgenti, 57, of Norwich, CT was arrested following a motor vehicle stop on Lacey Road at 1:31 a.m. Girgenti was charged with reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and driving while intoxicated.

Nov. 2
A 20-year-old male resident of Waretown reported that while walking on Yorktown Drive in Forked River a vehicle occupied by three occupants stopped to speak with him. One of the occupants stole $90 out of the victim’s hand and fled.

Nov. 2
An employee from a business on Hollywood Boulevard in Forked River reported that a docked boat was entered and a marine battery valued at $84 was stolen.

Nov. 2
Cathy Decrosta, 43, of Beachwood was charged on a warrant for shoplifting $11.84 in adult Depends diapers from Walmart.

Police responded to a report of a shoplifter at Walmart at 10:30 p.m. The shoplifter reportedly fled in a described vehicle. Police located the vehicle and conducted a motor vehicle stop.

Decrosta was also driving while suspended.

Nov. 2
A resident on Tiller Drive in Forked River reported that a boat located in their yard had the shrink wrap and fuel line cut. The damage to the fuel line amounted to $20 and the $30 to the shrink-wrap. A second boat also sustained damage to the fuel line.

Nov. 1
Robert Hunter, 25, of Ocean Gate was arrested for two outstanding warrants.

Police conducted a motor vehicle stop on Haines Street in Forked River when they discovered the $515 warrant out of Toms River and $1,000 from Manasquan.

Hunter posted bail and was released.


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