Three Afternoon Burglaries of Homes off Fischer Boulevard, Washington Street

Three home burglaries — two near and a third off Washington Street — were reported Wednesday with each of the cases involving suspects snatching jewelry from bedrooms before running off, police said.

In one incident, the suspect broke into a Magnolia Lane home off Washington Street and stole a .357 magnum pistol, said Chief Michael Mastronardy.

Officer Robert O’Neill is investigating the morning burglary of the Magnolia Lane home, between 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning. 

The suspect, or suspects, went into a bedroom, took pillowcases and them filled them with valuables, Mastronardy said.

“After entering the home through the front door, suspect removed two pillowcases from the bedroom and stole numerous items of jewelry from the bedrooms they ransacked,” said the police chief in a prepared statement.  A .357 magnum pistol and its black metal strong box was also removed from the home.

Two other home burglaries were reported Wednesday afternoon, both near Cattus Island.

One occurred between noon and 5 p.m. on Merrimac Drive in Snug Harbor, Mastronardy said. 

The burglar entered through a rear sliding glass door, went into the bedroom and stole jewelry, then left, police said.

On Tralee Drive, less than a mile from Merrimac, another home was burglarized around 1:30 p.m., said the police chief. The home was forcibly entered from a rear door, and jewelry was removed from a bedroom.

“Unknown persons forced their way into the backdoor, ransacked the bedroom and fled after removing jewelry,” said Mastronardy. He said police believe a report of a suspicious, older model orange or gold car parked near the residence is related.

Police released no other description of the suspects or vehicles in the three incidents. The value of the proceeds stolen is unknown.

Toms River Police Officers Eric Divone and Philip Bianco are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to call police headquarters at 732-349-0150.