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Northern Region

CO Hutchinson investigated a call from Wildlife Services concerning a missing snare that was set for an adult bear in West Milford. Wildlife Services personnel advised the officer that the snare was missing and there was a large amount of blood in the area of the snare set. After a thorough investigation, the officer determined a bear had been captured in the snare and then shot by a group of individuals who were cutting firewood on the property. One individual claimed that he brought his new rifle with him because he wanted to do some target shooting after they finished cutting wood. He advised the officer they came upon the bear in the woods and thought that it was injured. He said that he and another individual shot the bear with the .9mm rifle. The individuals then approached the bear and discovered that it had been trapped in the snare. They removed it and dumped it on another part of the property. Complaints for killing a black bear are pending.

While patrolling the Hackensack Meadowlands area during waterfowl season, Lt. Applegate and CO Kuechler apprehended a group of individuals for numerous violations. The group, two adults and a juvenile, didn’t start shooting until 1⁄2 hour after sunset. The officers counted a total of 66 rounds being fired after hours. When inspected, the officers determined that all the rounds fired were lead and they still had another 44 lead shells in possession. The boat owner did not have a valid operator’s license; the boat was unregistered and did not have any of the required safety equipment including life jackets. It was also determined that the individuals had transported their firearms in their vehicles uncased. Despite all the shooting, the individuals had only one duck in possession. All the appropriate complaints were issued.

COs Sutton and Kuechler continued to apprehend more ATV operators by charging 5 individuals riding on the Berkshire Valley WMA.

CO Williamson continued to assist the Training Unit by providing instruction to the Basic CO Class, Bear Training for Police Officers and the Fall Firearms Re-Qualifications.

While patrolling the Newark Bay Complex for fishing activity, CO Kuechler apprehended an individual in possession of 21 sub-legal striped bass. The individual had the fish stuffed into the carry case of his fishing chair.

CO Nestel assisted a National Park Service Ranger with the apprehension of an individual hunting raccoons unlawfully. The individual was found to be in possession of illegal missiles and had transported his firearm without a case. The CO signed complaints for both violations.

COs Ziegler and Holmes attended the Basic Training Program for new COs.

COs from both the Northern and Central Regions conducted a Bear Feeding Enforcement Sweep of the Lake Stockholm area of Hardyston Twp.

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Central Region

After receiving a complaint about illegal fishing on the trout stocked waters of the Manasquan River, Officer Szulecki responded and set up surveillance on two suspects that matched the complainant’s description. During that time, Officer Szulecki observed one individual use a cast net to catch trout. The other individual was observed throwing trash into the river while fishing. When confronted, they were found to be in possession of three illegally caught trout. The fisherman who littered, readily admitted to the violation. When Officer Szulecki checked their credentials, one individual was identified as a non-resident who had procured a resident fishing license illegally. Summonses were issued for the illegal license, illegally taking trout with a net and littering.

Officer Martiak received a complaint about a man and boy fishing at Peddie Lake in Hightstown taking everything that they were catching. Officer Martiak responded and after inspecting the pair determined that the man was using someone else’s fishing license based on the age description on the license. The man was also in possession of 12 short largemouth bass, two bass over the limit for the pair and 8 panfish over the limit. The boy’s mother was contacted and it was determined that the man who was her father, was using his son-in-law ’s license. The appropriate summonses were issued, including a summons for loaning the license.

Officer Martiak assisted at the Monmouth County Police Academy teaching a First Responder course to their new recruits.

Officers O’Rourke and Martiak received a complaint regarding a group of fishermen illegally fishing below the dam at Gropp’s Lake in Hamilton Twp. They responded to the lake and found all the individuals fishing without licenses and keeping undersize largemouth bass. Six summonses were issued for fishing without licenses, five summonses were issued for undersize bass and one summons for littering. These same individuals were charged last year by Officer McManus for the same violation.

Officer Szalaj received a complaint from Officer Tonnesen regarding an individual selling a full black bear mount at the Columbus Market. Officer Szalaj responded and issued the appropriate summons. The mount was confiscated.
Officers O’Rourke, Martiak, Mascio, Tonnesen and Szulecki assisted at the Division booth during the Tuckerton Decoy Show.

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Southern Region

An ongoing case regarding illegally obtained and held captive deer has heated up. The Attorney General’s office has instituted legal action against the individuals holding White tailed deer in this case, which dates back to spring of 2007. Officers from the Southern Region were required to maintain coverage of the small deer herd while legal papers were filed. These officers were also required to assist Wildlife Control agents in counting and tagging the deer.

CO Ciraolo and Lt. Massey responded to information that a store front in Bridgeton, NJ was offering for sale a mounted head of a white-tailed deer. Officer Ciraolo interviewed the store owners and learned that they had purchased the deer head from the Berlin Farmers Market. The officer was able to get the name of the seller at the Berlin Market from the store owner. With additional information obtained from the mount itself and the officer has started an investigation into the selling of deer parts at the Berlin Market.

Marie DiMatteo and additional officers of the Southern Region Office maintained a booth at the Cumberland Co. Sportsman’s Jamborees. They offered handouts and information to the attending public. Over one hundred attendees stopped by the booth.

CO Ely attended a special firearms training which was held over a week’s time by the National Rifle Assoc. This training was held at the Colliers Mill WMA police range for a variety of outside police and enforcement agencies.

CO Kille learned that an individual in Monroe Township in Gloucester County was alleged to have killed a large buck illegally with a rifle. He and CO Vazquez interviewed the hunter at his home where the violation was alleged to have occurred. The CO’s did not locate the antlers from the animal; however they did find deer hair on a lawn mower. The subject was questioned about the origin of the deer hair, and after an extensive interview he produced two sets of deer antlers one of which he admitted was never registered. The subject was charged with possession of unregistered deer parts. Since the deer antlers that were present did not match the description of the deer that was alleged to have been killed, that investigation remains open.

CO Toppin was on patrol at Cedar Lake WMA, Monroe Township, Gloucester County, when he observed a pick –up truck being followed by an ATV on the WMA. He attempted to stop both vehicles; however the ATV operator fled the scene. The driver of the truck was interviewed and he identified the operator of the ATV. The driver was arrested on an active bench warrant. The truck was towed from the scene due to lack of insurance. Officers from District 5 and 6 responded to assist CO Toppin in his search for the ATV rider. The ATV was found parked at a nearby house; unfortunately the rider had already left the scene. The case remains open and officers hope to locate the ATV rider in the near future. It is interesting that that rider also has an active warrant for his arrest, stemming from charges filed by NJFW in a recent case.

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Marine Region

On Sunday September 21 CO Petruccelli received a call about the recreational fishing vessel “Good as Gold” which was targeting fluke during the closed season. CO Petruccelli received numerous complaints about this vessel in years past but was unable to apprehend the vessel. With assistance from CO James, CO Petruccelli set up surveillance, to board the vessel upon its return from offshore. Late in the afternoon he and CO James boarded the vessel inspecting the coolers of the five fishermen stowed on the deck of the vessel. One cooler containing the collective legal possession limit of bluefish was located. Based on the information he obtained, CO Petruccelli pressed the owner of the vessel about additional fish hidden on board the vessel. The owner repeatedly denied that more fish were on board the vessel. A more thorough inspection of the vessel, concentrating on the compartments in the forward portion of the vessel, yielded a bag of filleted fish concealed under a hatch. The fillets were identified as parts from four summer flounder and nine undersize black sea bass. CO Petruccelli and CO James issued the appropriate summons for possession of fluke during closed season, filleting at sea, and interference with Conservation Officer for making false statements.

On 10/1/08, acting on a call received by the Marine Region Office, CO Petruccelli observed a small inflatable “Zodiac” style boat tautog fishing along the jetties in Cape May inlet. CO Petruccelli watched the occupants of this vessel; a husband and wife catch and retain several tautog. After hours of fishing, the vessel’s operator pulled the anchor and beached the boat near a clam processing plant adjacent to the Two-Mile Bridge. The couple stopped to collect green crabs for use as tautog bait. CO Petruccelli took the opportunity to approach the fishermen on foot. As he approached, the woman immediately ran for the vessel while the man attempted to obstruct CO Petruccelli’s view. CO Petruccelli ordered the individuals to stop their attempt to discard fish from the vessel. The female suspect ignored his orders and threw a bag containing illegally harvested fish into the bay. CO Petruccelli was able to recover the bag of fish and apprehend the individuals. The bag contained 30 tautog; 20 measured less than the legal size limit. He issued the appropriate summons for possession of over the limit and under size tautog and for interference with the duties of a conservation officer.

On September 23, CO Petruccelli observed the FV Helen W. Smith offloading croakers at Cold Spring Fish Co. in Cape May. He learned that the vessel had landed its weekly limit of summer flounder under New Jersey regulations on the 22nd and boarded the vessel to inspect the vessel’s paperwork. In the wheelhouse of the vessel, CO Petruccelli noticed that the Captain appeared uneasy. In addition, the crew hastily finished its offloading and closed the lid to the fish hold. Sensing that they were hiding something, CO Petruccelli insisted on inspecting the hold of the vessel. On initial inspection it appeared as if the bins only had ice in them. CO Petruccelli dug down below the top layer of ice, approximately two feet, and discovered a load of summer founder which had not been offloaded. In addition to the fluke was not being listed on the vessel’s Federal Fishing Vessel Trip Report; which is a federal violation, it was landed in excess of the NJ weekly limit. CO Petruccelli ordered that the vessel offload all of the concealed fluke. A total of 2,114 lb of fluke was removed from the vessel’s hold. The captain stated that it was his intention to land the fluke in his home state of Virginia. CO Petruccelli documented the violations, issuing a state summons to the vessel for landing more than their trip limit of fluke and a federal warning for the failure to accurately complete its FVTR. Upon conviction the vessel faces up to a $3,000.00 penalty and 60 day suspension of its New Jersey Fluke landing Permit.

On 10/3/08 Lt Yunghans, CO James and CO Petruccelli assisted NMFS in apprehending FV Capt Charlie in Sea Isle City for harvesting sea scallops from the Elephant Trunk limited access area which is presently closed. NMFS Agent are completing the case package.

CO Snellbaker with the assistance of other District 8 officers has concentrated on the inlet area of Atlantic City to reduce the widespread disregard for the recreational tautog fishery. CO Snellbaker has written numerous summonses for violations of the 14” size limit and the one fish bag limit. The fall/winter is typically the time of year when the tautog recreational fishery becomes very active and is especially popular within the Asian cultures highly valuing the white meat.

On 9/30/08, while patrolling alone, CO Snellbaker encountered a large number of recreational violations. While engaged in an apprehension on one of the finger jetties in the inlet section of the city, CO Snellbaker observed a woman dump a bucket of illegal tautog when she saw him. CO Snellbaker ordered her to stop and began retrieving the fish. While collecting the discarded fish a male fisherman on the same jetty also began dumping his illegal fish. CO Snellbaker ordered the man to stop and when his attention was momentarily diverted to him, the female tried to finish her destruction of evidence. CO Snellbaker took both individuals into custody removing them from the jetty to issue several summonses for over the limit tautog, undersize tautog and interference with the duties of a conservation officer. During the interview of the individuals, CO Snellbaker encountered a language barrier. The woman’s daughter helped translate for CO Snellbaker. During translation, the little girl told him that they didn’t have a vehicle in the area.

An hour later, CO Snellbaker noticed that the woman and her daughter appeared to be acting as lookouts for the other fishermen who were on the jetties. When they began to pack up their gear and leave, they loaded up a car which was parked on the street. CO Snellbaker returned just as they were finished loading the car. Through their daughter, they made another false claim that no fish were in the vehicle. CO Snellbaker recovered a cooler concealed between the front seats of the vehicle which contained 9 under sized tautog and one summer flounder. He issued the additional summonses to the male individual. On 10/13/08 CO Snellbaker prosecuted the individuals in Atlantic City Municipal court. The couples plead guilty to most of the violations and were sentenced to a collective penalty of $1200.00

On 10/19/08 District 8 Officers assisted by CO Vasquez and CO Swift conducted a plain clothes operation for compliance with the tautog regulations in the inlet area of Atlantic City. Despite the 20+ mph winds and the tidal surge associated which made the inlet jetties inaccessible, the operation yielded eleven violations. Six individuals were issued nine summonses for violations of the tautog size and bag limit.

On October 4, CO Dravis and Lt. Fresco inspected the F/V Dauntless, a party boat which docks at Point Pleasant Beach. This vessel was filled with patrons as it returned from a bottom fishing trip. The COs were able to apprehend five individuals. Three fishermen were apprehended with between 28-30 undersized black sea bass each, including several fish over the bag limit. The two other fishermen had 10 shorts each. The appropriate summonses were issued.
On September 21 COs Soell and Swift received a complaint in reference to individuals keeping many undersized blackfish in the Point Pleasant Canal. CO Swift encountered the individuals at the canal, but found no violations. Meanwhile, CO Soell knowing the motis operandi of intentional violators looked inside the suspect’s vehicle and observed bags containing fish in the vehicle. The suspects were called to their vehicle and seven undersized blackfish were recovered from the bags. The two violators were issued summonses for possessing five blackfish over the limit, and possession of seven undersized blackfish.

On October 7, COs Soell and Swift set up a surveillance of Barnegat Inlet at the south jetty in response to a history of complaints of undersized fish being kept. There were several fishermen on the jetty. When the COs decided to inspect the fishermen, it created quite a stir with individuals moving in all directions. Individuals on cell phones were calling for rides to be picked up so they wouldn’t get inspected by the COs. The COs staked out two individuals waiting for a ride and was able to apprehend them as they were being picked up by two other individuals. The illegal fish were located in the vehicle. The two individuals in the vehicle were issued summonses for possession of nine undersized blackfish and four over bag limit. In a separate incident at the Barnegat Inlet, CO Soell apprehended two individuals in possession of sixteen undersized scup, three undersized black sea bass and six undersized blackfish. The appropriate summonses were issued.

CO Jones investigated a complaint of the Pathmark Supermarket in Middletown was selling undersized lobster tails. CO Jones confirmed that the tails were from American Lobster and were undersized. The store was issued a summons for possession of undersized American Lobster. The out of state seafood distributor supplying these tails was contacted and advised to stop deliveries to any businesses in New Jersey.

An informant called CO Dravis in reference to an individual catching several blackfish and having his female partner take the fish away in blue bags and walk out of sight with the fish. This was occurring at Manasquan Inlet at Pt. Pleasant Beach. CO Dravis was unable to respond as he was involved in the Governor’s Surf Fishing Tournament at Island Beach State Park. He relayed this information to Lt. Fresco and DCO Wotton who responded to the complaint. DCO Wotton set up a surveillance of the inlet jetty while Lt. Fresco searched for the female. While driving around Lt. Fresco observed a female sitting in a vehicle in the general direction of where the female was last seen walking and matching the description given by the informant. Lt. Fresco watched this vehicle while keeping in contact with CO Dravis who was communicating with the informant. The female left the vehicle and was observed by the informant picking up a bag of fish from the fisherman. Lt. Fresco observed the woman walking back to the vehicle with a large purse over her shoulder. Lt. Fresco observed the woman place the contents of the purse in the rear of the vehicle and proceeded to make an inspection. There were seven blackfish wrapped in blue plastic bags in a cooler, in the rear of the vehicle. The woman attempted to call the fisherman on her cell phone, but was thwarted by Lt. Fresco as the informant observed another fish kept by the fisherman. Lt. Fresco apprehended the fisherman who had another blackfish in possession on the jetty. The fisherman was issued summonses for possession of seven blackfish over the limit and taking two undersized blackfish. Meanwhile, DCO Wotton observed a separate group of two fishermen take and possess five undersized blackfish. The appropriate summonses were issued.

CO Soell, while returning back from a boat patrol in the Forked River, observed a sheen in the water in the vicinity of Silver Cloud Marina. CO Soell contacted marina personnel who assisted in locating the source of the sheen. The sheen was traced to a bilge outlet of one of the vessels docked at the marina. CO Soell and the marina owner boarded the vessel and discovered a leaking steel fuel tank. The tank was badly rusted and contained diesel fuel. They also observed a roll of paper towel placed near the leak in the tank. NJDEP Emergency Response was contacted, but the marina had the spill contained and removed the vessel from the water prior to them arriving on scene. CO Soell contacted the vessel’s owner who admitted that he was aware of the leak, stating it was “only leaking a cup to a cup and a half a day”. He also admitted that the leak had been occurring for several weeks. A summons is pending.

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