By John Burton
FREEHOLD – A Monmouth County grand jury this week handed up an indictment against a Middletown man and woman, charging them with theft and tax fraud.
William Seward, 56, and Vivian Farney, 48, both of Bay Avenue, face a 21-count indictment, alleging they stole more than $75,000 between Jan. 1, 2007-April 2, 2010, belonging to a Long Branch business. They were also indicted for failing to pay taxes and for not filing tax returns, according to the indictment .
Farney also was charged with forgery and for filing a false financial statement in Sayreville, Middlesex County. In addition, the two were charged with failing to register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs as a home improvement contractor before engaging in selling and undertaking home improvements, according to the indictment.
HOLMDEL – Township police have charged Brian I. Valentin, 32, of Atlantic Avenue, Aberdeen, with shoplifting.
According to the criminal complaint, Holmdel police filed with the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Freehold, Valentin allegedly walked out of a rear fire exit of Kohl’s department store, 2145 Route 35, Holmdel, with a Dyson vacuum cleaner, valued at $700.
HIGHLANDS — Borough police arrested Matthew Occmipinti, 22, of Central Avenue, on June 3, for burglary and for breaking into a parked vehicle.
Police said Occmipinti illegally entered a South Linden Avenue home, and a 2005 BMW 745 model where he allegedly took a child’s safety seat before being confronted by the vehicle’s owner, according to the criminal complaint police forwarded to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Freehold.
Occmipinti’s bail was set at $35,000 without the option to post a 10 percent bond.
MIDDLETOWN – Township police arrested and took into custody Enricky Cosme-Cruz, 22, of Hudson Avenue, for allegedly being a fugitive from justice from Pennsylvania.
Cosme-Cruz is charged with failing to appear in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Superior Court on charges of receiving stolen property, according to the criminal complaint township police have forwarded to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Freehold.
Cosme-Cruz’s bail was set at $100,000 in Monmouth County without the option to post a 10 percent bond.
