Police Blotter
The following information was provided by police unless otherwise noted
Freehold
Stealing from the Vulnerable: Former chief financial officer Peter Pflug, 56, was sent to prison for stealing almost $115,000 from a nonprofit dedicated to helping those with autism. Pflug, who headed up New Horizons in Autism, Monmouth County nonprofit that provides services to individuals with autism and runs group homes, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in January to a second-degree charge of theft by unlawful taking. He must pay full restitution to the organization. Pflug was indicted in an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. The state Division of Developmental Disabilities provides most of the funding for New Horizons. Pflug had access and permission to the organization’s credit cards and checking accounts to make purchases for the nonprofit. But he abused that trust by spending $114,917 on personal expenses, between June 2015 and February 2018. He tried to hide the purchases as expenses made for the nonprofit-run group homes. Detectives, armed with a search warrant in April 2018, found evidence that Pflug used New Horizon credit cards and account to make home improvements purchases. “Pflug abused his position as chief financial officer of this nonprofit by stealing nearly $115,000 in funds – consisting mostly of tax dollars – that were intended to provide services to individuals with autism,” Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement. “This prison sentence sends a strong message that those who steal and abuse their positions of trust will be held accountable.” Thomas Eicher, the director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, said the former executive “betrayed the nonprofit that employed him and the vulnerable population served by the nonprofit. We have zero tolerance for this type of corrupt conduct.” The public can report corruption, financial crimes and illegal activities on the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability’s confidential tipline, 1-844-OPIA-TIPS.
Bristol Borough Township
Found with Drugs: Cops investigating a suspicious vehicle near Commerce Circle found Talene Ashley Geida in possession of heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana. Geida also had an active warrant from the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department. She was processed and sent to jail.
Upper Southampton Township
Drunk as a Skunk: Officers who responded to James Way and Jaymor Road for a multi-car crash determined Earl Nathan Ohlin was drunk. He showed signs of intoxication and performed poorly on field sobriety tests. Ohlin was taken into custody, had a blood test taken, was processed and released on a summons.
New Britain Township
Gotcha!: Accused burglar Michael Rainey was identified by video surveillance as the alleged culprit who tried to break into a home on County Line Road. Cops said they could see a pry bar in the perpetrator’s right jacket pocket. He was apparently scared off by the home owner’s barking dogs after he rang the doorbell to see if anyone was home. Cops also received a report of a suspicious person in the backyard of home on Lexington Avenue. Police circulated the video on CrimeWatch, Facebook and Twitter. Rainey was identified by two people as the suspect. Charges were filed and a warrant is out for his arrest. Officers tried finding Rainey at his last known addresses but were unsuccessful. Rainey turned himself into police Thursday and allegedly confessed to the crime during a police interrogation.
Quakertown Borough
Not A Shoemaker: Gregory Shoemaker, 34, was charged with intentionally breaking multiple windows on a vehicle which was parked on the first block of Front Street.
Speed Kills: Kaila Dutko, 20, was pulled over for for speeding on the 100 block of South West End Boulevard. She was subsequently arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.