Police: Two Friday Afternoon Burglaries Related

Toms River Police believe two burglaries Friday are related, as suspects broke into two homes, stealing jewelry from bedrooms there.

One burglary occurred sometime 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Terrace Avenue, the residential road that runs behind the Kmart plaza on Route 37, said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy.

Officer Gary Flynn responded to the burglary, where suspects entered a rear window and removed jewelry from the bedrooms, then left through a side door, Mastronardy said. Investigating are Officer Thomas Dimichele and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department.

A second burglary occurred sometime between noon and 2 p.m. Friday less than 2 miles away, in a residence on Juniper Court, off Route 166, the police chief said.  A suspect kicked in the back door, and removed two jewelry boxes and about $2,000 in jewelry from bedrooms.  Investigating are Officer Peter Saker, Detective John Bajcic and Detective Erin Krause of the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. 

At this time police believe these burglaries are related and urged residents who may have witnessed any suspicious activity in these areas to call 732-349-0150.

This week, at least seven burglaries were reported in Toms River, and one attempted armed robbery, police have announced. In one case, afternoon are being investigated, including a burglary at the police chief's home. An arrest of was made Wednesday. An at night of a woman outside a Fischer Boulevard bank this week remains under investigation.