Police Investigating Rash Of Daytime Burglaries

Toms River police are urging residents to be vigilant and report suspicious behavior in the wake of five daytime burglaries on Monday

"The department is requesting any residents to be alert and call in any suspious activity such as people ringing doorbells, being dropped off in neighborhoods... to call (732) 349-0150," Police Chief Michael G. Mastronardy said.

The incidents and the locations include:

James Street - A burglary took place at 11:30 a.m, when a black male, roughly 5 feet, five inches tall, with corn row-style hair, wearing dark pants and a green shirt tried to enter a home through a basement window window. The suspect removed several hand tools, including wrenches and ratchets from a car at the rear of the house before fleeing on foot. Officer Robert O'Neill is investigating.

Poplar Place - An unknown suspect or suspects entered an unlocked rear window between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and took about $200 in cash and about $6,000 in jewelry from a bedroom in the home. Officer Scott Duncan is investigating.

Broad Street- a burglary occurred sometime between 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The resident reported that someone entered their unlocked front door and took $100 in cash and over 20 DVDs. Officer Frank Lauria is investigating.

Mapletree Road - A resident called police at 5 p.m. to report an unknown suspect or suspects had forced open his front door and removed a Casio watch from a bedroom.

Central Avenue - Someone entered a home through an unlocked front door and took two bicycles and a television. The television was removed from the living room, one bike from a bedroom and the other bike from the back of the house. Corporal Paul Burkhardt is investigating.

Also assisting in the multiple burglaries are Detectives Alex Scherer, Roger Hull, Brian Lomer, Louis Santora and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information can contact Captain Bruce Burgess at 349-0150 ext 1200.