Police Blotter: Hit-and-Run Incidents; Shoplifting Arrest

Toms River police and fire blotter through March 23, as released by Police Chief Michael Mastronardy:

• At 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, Toms River Police and Toms River Fire companies 1 and 2 responded to a structure fire at 19 King St. 

A resident of the home was cooking pancakes when a bottle of oil spilled on the electric stove and caused the fire, police said. The fire was quickly put out with a fire extinguisher by emergency personnel who responded. Toms River fire companies ventilated the home, and the residents were able to return to the residence, which had little damage. Officer Tim Sysol investigated.

• At 4 p.m. Monday police arrested  22-year-old Jessica Sierra of 54th Avenue in New York City on charges of shoplifting.   

The manager of Hollister in the Ocean County Mall allegedly observed Sierra removing more than $1300 of clothin,g including men’s jeans and T-shirts, police said.  After being arrested by Officer Josh Pedalino, she could not provide valid identification and was placed in Ocean County Jail on $20,000 full bail.

• Just before 10 a.m. Saturday a 46-year-old Toms River man was traveling westbound on Route 37 at Hooper Avenue, stopped in traffic when his vehicle was struck in the rear.

That vehicle, a gray Nissan with Pennsylvania plates, then fled the scene and was last observed near James Street. Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigating officer, Corporal Ralph Stocco, at 732-349-0150.

• Just before 10 p.m. Saturday police responded to an accident on Washington Street and determined that a dark color SUV was eastbound on Washington Street when it left the roadway and struck a utility pole near Maple Street.

The vehicle then fled the scene down Maple Street. Washington Street was closed from Maple Street to Pine Street for six hours while utility crews repaired the damaged pole.  Anyone with info is requested to call the investigating officer, Gary Flynn, at 732-349-0150.