Citizen Helps Lead Police to Stolen Vehicle

Some suspicious behavior reported by a citizen helped lead police to discover a stolen vehicle and arrest two suspects, according to police.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the alert citizen called police after noticing two suspicious people near the Foodtown on Route 37, 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

Two men were wiping the handles out of a vehicle they were in, he said. The citizen called police headquarters and took some photos.

"The citizen observed the suspects wipe the door handles of a 2012 Kia after exited the vehicle," Mastronardy said in an email. "The citizen took photos with a cell phone and notified Communications who relayed the information to patrol officers."

Mastronardy said an investigation revealed the vehicle was stolen, and police arrived to the shopping plaza to locate the two men.

"Officer Louis Taranto located the suspects in the Toms River Shopping Center lot. Sergeant Ron Sermarini and Officer Vincent Pedalino assisted the investigation that quickly determined the vehicle was reported stolen out of Little Egg Harbor Township Saturday night," said the police chief.

The two men were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property.  Albert Depaolo, 27, of Ocean Gate and Justin Searlesyoung, 19, of Stafford Township were arrested, Mastronardy said.