By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
MANALAPAN – The Manalapan Police Department is investigating a bias incident that occurred on the grounds of a local elementary school.
According to police, at 6:41 p.m. April 13, Patrolman Anthony Cascella responded to the Clark Mills School, Gordons Corner Road, to investigate a report of bias related criminal mischief.
Police said Cascella found anti-Semitic comments written in chalk on the school playground and observed a picture of a swastika about 30 feet from the playground on a paved driveway leading to the school.
Manalapan Mayor Susan Cohen said she became upset when she was informed about the incident.
“A mom and her children were at Clark Mills. She noticed the writing and pictures and immediately called the police,” Cohen said.
“The school was notified and I would like to commend Principal Jayme Orlando for her quick response in getting the area cleaned up. Detective Ken Mikulik has been assigned to this incident and will be reviewing the school tapes.
“As before, anything that is done against any group will not be tolerated in this town. I am saddened it was done on Holy Thursday, during Passover and just before the celebration of Easter,” Cohen said.
Joseph Pangaro, the director of school security for the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District, said the building was closed for spring break when the incident occurred.
“Based on a review of the incident there was no danger to anyone and there is no danger to anyone in the school at this time.
“An assessment of the evidence indicates this was a mean-spirited and thoughtless prank; we do not believe these were specifically targeted threats to anyone. The Manalapan police will follow up on any criminal charges that may be warranted,” Pangaro said.
Anyone with any information regarding the incident at the Clark Mills School is asked to contact police at 732-446-4300.
In other incidents reported by police:
• On April 14 at 7:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to the Towne Pointe condominium complex on Tennent Road for a report of burglaries to numerous vehicles.
Police said several residents reported that their unlocked vehicles had been entered during the overnight hours. The vehicles were parked on Paddington, Hampton and Wellington courts and Towne Drive during the evening of April 13.
On the morning of April 14, the residents reported that the glove boxes and consoles in their vehicles had been rummaged through, but most reported no missing items. A 28-year-old resident reported that his wallet was removed from his unlocked vehicle on Paddington Court and that his credit card was used to make an unauthorized purchase.
Officers Jennie Rae Hensley and Matthew Porricelli, and Detective Dominick Donatelli are handling the investigation.
• On April 17 at 12:03 a.m., Patrolman Jason Vigneault responded to a Stratford Drive residence to investigate a report of a burglary to a motor vehicle. A 24-year-old resident reported that an unknown individual entered his unlocked vehicle while it was parked at the home. A dark colored vehicle was observed parked in the area of the incident. The resident did not report anything to be missing from the vehicle.
