Manalapan and Englishtown Men Arrested for Middletown Burglaries

Two men allegedly caught in the act of a burglary at a Middletown residence are suspected of being connected to others in the area.

On Oct. 21 at noon, Cpl. Bernard Chenoweth and Cpl. George Freibott responded to a residence on Marion Drive in reference to a burglary in progress.

Upon arrival, Cpl. Chenoweth observed a man, identified as Scott Gibson, 27, of Bartram Road, Englishtown, running from the residence carrying a bag of stolen items. Corporal Chenoweth chased the subject on foot and was able to take him into custody after a brief struggle.

Chenoweth and Freibott continued their investigation and determined that Gibson was working with a second person.

The officers identified the second suspect as Robert Molchan, 21, of Deer Way, Manalapan, and provided his name to officers in the area.

Patrolman Richard Belmonte was working a traffic detail on Middletown-Lincroft Road and observed a subject fitting Molchan’s description walking in the area. Officer Belmonte stopped the subject and confirmed it was Molchan, who was placed under arrest.

Detective William Strohkirch and Detective Adam Finck conducted a follow up investigation and determined that the pair was also responsible for committing a burglary on Courtney Way earlier in the day.

Gibson was charged with burglary, conspiracy, theft, resisting arrest and criminal mischief.

He was held on $30,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

Molchan was charged with burglary, theft and conspiracy. He was held on $20,000 bail with no 10 percent option.

Police believe the two are responsible for other burglaries in the area and are continuing their investigation.