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Pair Charged in Copper Pipe Theft from Sandy Victim's Home

First incident of theft involving a Sandy victim, police said

 

Toms River police on Sunday made the first arrests for theft from a Hurricane Sandy victim's home on the township's barrier island section, Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy said.

Two suspects, Maximo Panolaya Castillo, 25, and Israel Garcia, 24, both of Perth Amboy, were charged with burglary and theft after they allegedly stole copper pipe from a home in the area of 2nd Avenue, Mastronardy said.

"Officers discovered they entered a vacant damaged home and removed 30 feet of copper pipe worth about $200," Mastronardy said.

A contractor working in the area advised police of the two suspicious males at about 1 p.m. Sunday.

"The witness stated he became suspicious as to what they were doing under the residence and they quickly fled when he went to approach them," Mastronardy said.

Officers Thomas Grosse and Thomas Herbst located the two men near the beachfront as they took a smoke break, according to the chief.

Panolaya and Garcia are being held in jail on $15,000 bail with no 10 percent option. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been advised by police that the men allegedly are illegal aliens, Mastronardy said. 

Related Topics: Hurricane Sandy, copper pipe theft, and toms river police

JB08753

7:06 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Can we know call them ILLEGAL 'S again

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.

7:40 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

With so many homes still empty over there, they should still be checking ID's to make sure people belong anywhere near those empty houses, otherwise, you are going to hear a lot of this going on.

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butch cassidy

11:21 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

are they checking ids anymore? terrible once it was announced you could get back over bridge this stuff has started...its sickening

1stcav

7:47 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Frito Bandito's, nothing like kicking people when there down...hang 'em high..Should be legal to carry and shoot in these times , then this wouldn't happen if there were consequences...

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suz

8:19 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

I know of relatives who have a home in Ortley and they tell me some times they stop and check your ID, and other times there is no one to make sure you belong on the island! Yes, there are police present, but what the heck happen to the check points! A lot of "lookie Lou's" rooming around. Oh my gosh...they need the security there now more then ever.

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STSV2010

8:42 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Menendez will probably bail them out.

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Ken

12:30 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

Of course he would, he hired an illegal and believe all illegals should be made citizens here

Mapleleafnj

8:50 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Anyone seeing a pattern developing with crime in our area?
Can we report if these individuals are "ILLEGAL" immigrants or not?
Just a hunch "SCOOBY DOO" but it seems like one the Mystery Machine would solve in a 30 minute episode.

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I have spoken

9:08 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

DEPORT THEM ASAP!!!!

I Hope they enjoy xmas in JAIL.....LOL

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Keith Bryant

9:11 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

On Other Note: Heres Wishing Everyone Especially Those Who Were Impacted By Super Storm Sandy A Very Merry Christmas And May Everyones New Year Be Brighter. This Is To Everyone Especially Our 1st Responders And All The Volunteers Helping Us During Our Time And Need. I Am One Of The Fortueate Families Who Were Misplaced But Was Able To Return Home After About Two Months No Thanks To FEMA They Did Nothing For Us. A Special Thank You To The Many Employees And Union For Toms River Schools For Their Support To Help A Fellow Employees Family Get Back On Their Feet For This Thank You All And Merry Christmas And May Everyones New Year Be Brighter. The Bryant Family Of Toms River ( Jersey Strong )

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Jess

9:28 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Sending them to jail just means that WE are paying for them to eat, a roof over their heads, cable, & a gym membership......if they are not citizens ;-/ I agree with sending them back!

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Mark

9:37 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

Yes there are a ton of State Troopers but all I see them doing is sitting in their cars on their cell phones and reading the papers. Perhaps a little proactive policing would help ie: get out of those damm police cars and walk up and down the streets and ask people for ID's. Also assign each Trooper car to a specific areas and hold each trooper responsible for anything that happens in his or her area. It's called accountability! Perhaps the "Colonel" should come visit Ortley and personally observe how his Troopers are "Patrolling" the area! What a disgrace!

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On our own

11:06 am on Monday, December 24, 2012

I live in Ortley and have been working on my house as much as allowed. Everyday I see people walking or driving around "soliciting" work or just looking around. I've already chased some guys picking up scrap on the street. Empty houses are next already. I agree with Mark, most officers hang in the cars, I've never been challenged. What happens when Seaside reopens ???

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Ken

12:35 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

You can thank all of our politicans for not doing something about all the illegals we have here. Chrisite says it is up to the Feds, but why can't he take a stand like some other states like Arizona. I will tell you why it is because he wants the hispanic vote. President Obama wants them all made legal just like Menendez. Maybe if these politicans would do what was right we would not be having these problems. If you notice I mentioned republicans and democrats. Also I do not care what country they come from if they are here illegally something needs to be done.

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Da Brickz

1:12 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

Troopers sitting in their cars on cell phones and reading papers? Sounds like they are taking a page out of the TRPD handbook!

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Matt

1:57 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

If you deport them, they just come back to the US and then they are just roaming around unsupervised. Throw them in jail and we have to pay for people that shouldn't be in this country. The crab bait idea sounds better and better.

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Ken

3:17 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

I like your solution. Although I said if anyone hires them they get fined. Would make people think about hiring them. If anyone rents them a place same thing. If they have no work or no jobs amybe than they will go back to whatever country they are from

Rem

2:38 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

Just think about all the people they did not catch. And who polices the police.

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Ken

3:17 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

You are probably right, these are the ones they caught and I bet there were plenty they did not

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John Pine

1:13 am on Tuesday, December 25, 2012

You know the saying, where you see one roach there are many more you dont!

Jim O'Connor

8:54 pm on Monday, December 24, 2012

Its obvious they enjoy manual labor,rather than jail them put a shovel in their hands and have them shovel sand all day regardless of the weather to assist someone less fortunate who has been negatively affected by the storm.

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anthony serrao

9:05 am on Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Dont blame the state troopers and toms river pd they are doing thier best to allow the residents to get in and out without being hassled. If you see suspicious activity report it immediately. The cops came and arrested the thieves they deserve to be thanked not ridiculed by us. These officers have beem there 24/7 for the past eight weeks keeping the area safe. How about the next time you see a trooper or officer sitting in his car ask him if he would like a cup of coffee. These officers are also our neighbors and relatives
Right away you want to call the Colnel what a rat. Merry Christmas to all our public servants

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Ortley Joe

12:36 pm on Tuesday, December 25, 2012

I have a home summer home there and like always the police never ride patrol through the streets they just find a place to park until someone calls in a complaint.

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Angela R

10:44 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

I have a summer home in Ortley as well and also went yesterday to find my front door kicked in. The house is stripped to it's studs, so there was nothing to take, but something needs to be done to protect our homes. We cannot live there, and we cannot protect our homes, what are we supposed to do? What about the people who are full time residents and have important belongings there?

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Patricia Perillo

11:01 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

Just read this article today. What the hell is going on ? I live in Normandy Beach and still can not live in my home, due to the lack of utilities and flood damage. Each time I enter the island, I need to show picture ID, so how in the world did they get on the island? If it is to repair our homes,they must register at City Hall and obtain a release to work on our properties ( shown to the officers ) who then validate the letter and initial.If the officers have scanners in their patrol cars, scan the letters along with the plate numbers.
Normandy Beach Resident

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wookfish

11:03 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012

They can get in anywhere.....they got across the border with no problem

~Barb~

12:02 pm on Thursday, December 27, 2012

Take them out to sea....free chum.

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BellaRox

8:03 am on Thursday, January 3, 2013

BURY THEM UP TO THEIR NECKS ON THE BEACH AND LET THE TIDE BE THE JURY!

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