West Keansburg Standoff and Pot Bust Top News in Holmdel-Hazlet

10. Police: Over $10k in Fraudulent Purchases Made at Holmdel Best Buy. Brian Hernandez, 19 and Kiara Rivera, 20 of Perth Amboy were arrested last Friday and charged with the alleged theft and the fraudulent use of credit cards. Police allegedly found corresponding electronics at the scene of the arrest.

9. . A pair of 20-year-olds from Hazlet are faced multiple charges from the Middletown Police Department after they allegedly shoplifted merchandise from the Kohls Store. 

Brendan Frank and Victoria Esposito, both of Fleetwood Drive, were arrested by Ptl. James Beirne on April 22 after the alleged incident.

8. "Operation Swill" Targets TGI Fridays of Hazlet. TGI Fridays of Hazlet is among 29 bars and restaurants throughout New Jersey targeted by state officials during a year-long investigation into establishments that may have served cheap booze while charging premium prices, according to the state Attorney General's Office.

7. Suspect Sought in Sheepshead Baygels Burglary. Holmdel police went looking for a suspect in the burglary of a local bagel business. A burglary at Sheepshead Baygels on Route 35 in Holmdel was reported on May 11, according to police. No arrests have been announced.

6. Hazlet Woman Indicted on Failure to Register as a Sex Offender Charge. According to the indictment, Cinthya Kodym, 26, was previously convicted of rape of a child, incest and statutory sexual assault in Pennsylvania. As a result of that conviction, she is required to reverify her address on an annual basis, according to the indictment.

5. . Shortly before 5 p.m. on May 12, a 17-year-old Hazlet resident lost control while driving a 2011 Nissan Maxima through the intersection. The driver was attempting to turn right onto Route 35 south from Cliffwood Avenue when the one-vehicle accident occurred, Powers said. The car came to rest on its roof.

4. UPDATE: Two CEI Employees Hospitalized After Possible Carbon Monoxide. A possible carbon monoxide leak on May 19 caused some employees to fall ill at Cosmetic Essence Innovations.

A Holmdel Police news release stated two female employees of CEI were briefly hospitalized after falling ill around 5:15 p.m. Both women were later released from the hospital.

3. Three Hazlet Men Arrested in Pot Distribution Bust. Five people have been arrested and 50 pounds of marijuana along with $400,000 was seized in the bust of a pot distribution group.

According to a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, five people were arrested and charged on April 29 and April 30 following an investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Gangs, Guns and Drugs Task Force.

2. Union Beach Wins Independence Day Celebration. Union Beach has won an "over-the-top" Fourth of July celebration on the beachfront, thanks to its ex-Fire Dept. Chief who nominated the Hurricane Sandy-devastated Bayshore town in a national contest sponsored by the TV network Destination America and USA WEEKEND.

1. UPDATE: Man in Custody After Police Converge on West Keansburg Home. A man is in custody after authorities gathered at a residence in the West Keansburg section of Hazlet near Laurel Avenue and 4th Street on May 19.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Charles Webster confirmed the Monmouth County Emergency Response Team, the area's specialized law enforcement tactics team, was called to the scene by Hazet Police Chief James Broderick after the department received reports of shots fired in the area, Webster said.