Crime & Safety

State Trooper Helps Toms River Police Catch Alleged Air Conditioner Thieves

$4,000 unit taken from North Dover home Wednesday, according to police

An alert New Jersey State Trooper is credited with helping Toms River police apprehend three men accused of stealing a $4,000 air conditioner from a vacant home.

Trooper Sgt. Katherine Klemp witnessed two men carrying the unit from a North Maple Avenue home in the township’s North Dover section Wednesday and let her Toms River counterparts know, said Chief of Police Michael Mastronardy.

The unit was removed from a home that has been vacant after sustaining damage from a fire last November and placed into a 2013 Chevy Sonic, according to the chief.  

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

An investigation by the Trooper and Toms River Officer Michael Foy and Detective Thomas DiMichele resulted in theft and criminal trespass charges for Joni Britton, 22, of Massachusetts Avenue in Toms River, Neal Scott, 29, of Nixon Avenue in Bayville, and Derek Lombarski, 25, of Pembroke Lane in Whiting, Mastronardy said.

The three men each were lodged in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River on $10,000 bail, with no 10 percent option, according to the chief.

Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition, Scott was held on an outstanding warrant from Beachwood and charged with hindering apprehension and providing false information to police, Mastronardy said.


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