9 More Arrests Made in the area of Wawa
The combined efforts of the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Selective Enforcement Team continue to result in arrests for drug offenses in the area of Wawa at 116 Brick Blvd.
On the evening of Tuesday, November 12, officers effected three arrests.
Officers in the area observed three men selling perfume in the parking lot of Wawa. When officers approached to determine if they had a permit to solicit, one of the men, Andres Rodriguez (26 years old of East Brunswick) was found to have an active warrant for his arrest. Officers arrested Rodriguez on the warrant, and all three men were issued summonses for soliciting without a permit. After processing, he was released on his own recognizance.
Officers that night had also observed a female, Shannon Kieffer (33 years old of Toms River) take merchandise from the Wawa without paying. Kieffer left the store and entered the back seat of a vehicle and the vehicle left the scene. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested her for shoplifting. She was also found to be in possession of a prescription legend drug. Kieffer was subsequently lodged into Ocean County Jail.
While officers had the vehicle stopped for Kieffer, further investigation at the scene of the stop led to the arrest of Tyler Bartholomew (26 years old of Rhode Island Ave.). Bartholomew was charged with possession of a synthetic controlled dangerous substance. Bartholomew was also found to be in possession of a container of someone else’s urine, he was subsequently charged with possession of a device to defraud the administration of a drug test. Bartholomew was also lodged into Ocean County Jail.
On the morning of Friday, November 15th, four more arrests were made.
Officers in the area of the Wawa observed a drug transaction take place between Eugene Samuels (39 years old from Toms River) and Ashley Rose (33 years old from Toms River). Samuels was charged with three counts of possession of a prescription legend drug, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute. Rose was charged with three counts of possession of a prescription legend drug. Both subjects were subsequently lodged into Ocean County Jail.
Officers observed suspicious activity take place as a vehicle pulled into the parking lot and the driver entered the Wawa store, only to leave with a sample cup of coffee. K-9 Officer Scott Smith observed the driver, Renee Simonovich (32 years old of Skyline Dr.), talking on her cell phone while driving, and he stopped her vehicle. On scene investigation led to the arrest of Simonovich on charges with possession of crack, heroin, paraphernalia, and possession of methadone with intent to distribute. Simonovich was processed and released on summonses for those charges.
While in the same area, officers observed a subject they were familiar with, Jason Feliciano (32 years old from Manchester). Officers knew that Feliciano’s driver’s license was suspended and that he had an active warrant for his arrest. Investigation at the scene led to the discovery of prescription legend drugs found in his vehicle. Feliciano was arrested, processed, and released on a summons.
On the morning of Saturday, November 16th, officers made two additional arrests.
Patrolman Joseph DeLuca observed a male inside the Wawa store remove merchandise without paying. The male, Ronnie Ferrigno (29 years old from Berkeley Twp.), was placed under arrest by Ptl. DeLuca for shoplifting. He was subsequently processed and released on a summons.
Officers in the area also observed a male distribute controlled dangerous substances. Investigation on the scene resulted in the discovery of prescription legend drugs and proceeds of a shoplifting. The suspect, Albert Pettit (33 years old from Jackson), was arrested and charged with distribution of a prescription legend drug, possession of a prescription legend drug, and shoplifting. He was subsequently lodged into Ocean County Jail.
Although recent street crimes investigations and stings have focused on this particular location, the Brick Police are conducting similar tactics in several areas throughout our township. Chief James Riccio hopes to send a clear message to would-be wrongdoers that criminal activity here will be dealt with swiftly and thoroughly. The peace and well-being of our residents are our first priorty. Chief Riccio would also like to commend the members of the Brick Drug Enforcement Unit, SET team and patrol division who have been doing an outstanding job following up on information of criminal activity about the township and making these apprehensions.