Police Solve Two More Cases With Public's Help After Posting Facebook Pictures

Barnegat police have solved two recent investigation after posting suspects' pictures on Facebook.

The arrests came with the help of citizens who identified suspects in two separate incidents. Nearly 1,200 Facebook fans shared the pictures of the suspects, which had 70,000 views, Lt. Keith Germain said.

The first incident happened at 9:15 p.m. on Sept. 1, when an  unknown female subject passed a counterfeit $100 bill at the 7-11 convenience store on West Bay Avenue, he said.

The store was unable to provide surveillance video until later in October, due to technical issues. When it became available, Detective Mike Mitchell was contacted on Oct. 21 by a citizen who identified the woman after seeing the Facebook photo, Germain said.

Mitchell arrested Annamarie Dibiase, 37, Howards Beach, New York, on Nov. 8. She was charged with third-degree forgery and was processed and released, pending a municipal court date, Germain said.

In the second case, officers responded to the Vapor Shark store on Route 9 for a report of shoplifting involving the theft of multiple electronic cigarettes. Police posted photos of two female suspects acquired from surveillance footage.

Detective William Hetrick received "multiple messages" on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 from Facebook fans identifying the two suspects.

Hetrick arrested Amanda J. Shockley, 20, and Jennifer Alvarez, 35, of Little Egg Harbor for shoplifting on Nov. 13. They were both processed and released pending court dates, Germain said.

So far, Barnegat police have posted suspect photos on the police department's Facebook page eight times. All eight cases were solved, with the help of citizens who identified the suspects, he said.

"The department is humbled by the support of concerned members of the community who continue to be invaluable partners in our pursuit of keeping Barnegat safe, Germain said.