Seven police officers receive commendations for superior service.
By: Leon Tovey
JAMESBURG The Borough Council honored seven borough police officers Wednesday for extraordinary service in the line of duty this year.
Lt. Paul Karkoska, Sgt. James Craparotta, Detective Louis Ceras, patrolmen Kevin Wilson, Jason Muller and Steven Burzachiello, and dispatcher Michael Alongi were all given mayoral commendations for their efforts in solving crimes ranging from burglaries to narcotics sales.
Lt. Karkoska was honored for spearheading an investigation into a Nov. 14 burglary that resulted in the arrest of two suspects a runaway juvenile and an adult from Mercer County and the recovery of several thousand dollars, according to a statement issued by Chief David Lester, which was read at Wednesday’s Borough Council meeting by Councilman and Police Commissioner Otto Kostbar.
Patrolman Muller and Mr. Alongi were honored for their parts in an investigation that led to the arrest of four men suspected of robbing a borough resident at knifepoint on Sept. 19, according to Chief Lester’s statement.
According to the statement, Mr. Alongi, a part-time dispatcher, spotted the four men, who fit a description given by the victim, after he had finished his shift on the evening of Sept. 19. Patrolman Muller, with assistance from the Monroe Township Police Department, arrested the four men and recovered a knife similar to the one the victim described.
Sgt. Craparotta and Detective Ceras were honored for conducting an investigation in August that led to the arrest of three men Sept. 1 for possession of narcotics, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute, selling narcotics to an undercover police officer and illegal possession of a .45-caliber handgun, according to the statement.
Patrolmen Wilson and Burzachiello were honored for the Aug. 4 arrest in Helmetta of four men suspected of a rash of burglaries in Helmetta, Bedminster, Sayreville and South Amboy, according to Chief Lester’s statement.
Mr. Kostbar said the commendations were "well-earned" and thanked the officers for their efforts, as did other members of the council and Mayor Tony LaMantia.

