Police Believe Neighbor Thwarted Possible Break-in

Police believe a neighbor, who confronted a suspicious man, may have thwarted a break-in.

Toms River Department Officers Carl Basile and Frank Palino responded to a report of a suspicious white male, about six feet tall with dark hair and appearing to be about 30 years old, wearing a dark blue button-up shirt and khaki pants. The man in question walked up to a vacant house with an empty box on Charlene Road at 1:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

“A neighbor confronted the man, who then entered a blue Acura with unknown temporary tags, and fled westbound on Lakehurst Road. The neighbor believed he stopped the suspect before he entered the vacant home,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

Items stolen from vehicle

Police are looking to identify a suspect caught on camera stealing items from a parked car Friday afternoon.

Officer Ryan Quinn is investigating the theft of numerous items from an unlocked vehicle at about 1:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon near Route 37.

“Security cameras showed a white male about 40 years old, wearing an old orange shirt and tan shorts, entering a van and removing two pairs of glasses and a cell phone, before exiting and walking to the rear of Jersey Coast Appliance on Route 37.”

Bey Lea Village yard equipment theft

Further, the Toms River Police Department are looking to identify two black males in a 2-door grey Chevrolet Cavalier, who were observed parked near a landscaper trailer at the Bey Lea Village apartment complex.

“A worker for Hudson Landscaping reported that while working at the complex, three redmax blowers were removed from a landscaping trailer, between 2:30 and 3 p.m. on Friday. Officer Travis Seaman is investigating, and anyone with information can contact Detective Captain Bruce Burgess at 732-349-0150, ext. 1200,” the chief said.