Oceanport PD: Reports of Fraud, Warrant Arrests

Oceanport police took several reports of fraud and made several warrant arrests this month, among other incidents such as a drunken driving arrest and a disorderly conduct charge:

Aug. 19

• Police were called to a Monmouth Boulevard residence to help resolve a landlord/tenant dispute.

The tenant claimed his roommate hadn't paid rent and utilities in two months. Police advised both the tenant and his landlord that the situation was a civil matter, not criminal.

• An Eatontown man was arrested and charged with drunken driving.

Police initially stopped Marco V. Desa, 33, at 2:30 a.m. for motor vehicle violations. Subsequent investigation revealed that he was intoxicated, police said.

Desa was processed at Oceanport headquarters and released pending a court date.

• Police investigated a complaint of a suspicious man at Cumberland Farms on East Main Street.

The complaint stated that a white man with tattoos was trying to sell electronics to patrons entering the store. 

The man was gone when police arrived, and a check of the surrounding areas came up empty.

Aug. 17

A Wyandotte Avenue resident reported that his credit card was fraudulently used on the Web.

The victim told police there were purchases on his account that he did not make. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

Aug. 11

A Hiawatha Avenue resident reported fraud attempts.

The resident told police someone has been calling and asking for money for services not provided while also asking for personal information. The Detective Bureau is investigating.

Aug. 10

The Detective Bureau also is investigating a case of identity theft reported Aug. 10 by a Werah Place resident.

The victim told police he was receiving phone calls from a health services billing department. After running a credit score on himself, the victim discovered activity in collections that he had no knowledge of, police said.

Aug. 9

Joseph J. Reilly, 31, of Oceanport was arrested on a contempt/failure to appear warrant out of Tinton Falls. He was processed at headquarters and released.

Aug. 8

The Detective Bureau is investigating a report of fraud from an Irma Place resident.

The victim told police she saw online an RV that she had purchased, which wasn't delivered.

Aug. 7

Garret C. Shalley, 45, of Tinton Falls was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct. 

Police said they responded to a Riverside Avenue residence at 7:58 a.m. to find Shalley throwing items at the house.

He was processed at headquarters and released pending a court date.

Aug. 6

Patricia Hommel, 48, and Theresa M. McGroarty, 21, both of Oceanport, were arrested on contempt/failure to appear warrants.

Police said Hommel was a passenger in a vehicle driven by McGroarty and stopped on Comanche Drive for a motor vehicle violation. McGroarty was arrested on an outstanding warrant out of Oceanport, and while identifying the passengers, it was discovered Hommel also had an active warrant, police said.

Both women were released after posting bail.

Aug. 1

Benjamin C. Bleefeld, 32, of Long Branch was arrested on a contempt/failure to appear warrant out of Oceanport after police initially stopped him on motor vehicle violations.

Bleefeld was processed and released.