Numerous Burglaries within Past Two Weeks

The are reporting many burglaries in the township over the past couple of weeks and, as always, are encouraging residents to lock up and keep all valuables safe and secure.

"The township has been experiencing a significant number of thefts and burglaries to homes and vehicles and wants all residents to play an active role in crime prevention," Chief Chris Marsala advises on the Manalapan Police Department Web site.

Reporting suspicious activity, following basic crime prevention guidelines, keeping hedges trimmed, having adequate lighting outside of the home at night and activating your house alarm are all tips Marsala suggests.

Residential Burglaries

• Ptl. Brian Schank responded to a home on Rt. 33 on the evening of July 13. The 32-year-old homeowner told Schank that approximately $50,000 - $60,000 worth of equipment was removed from his residence sometime between mid-June and the date he reported the theft. Det. Kevin Schmidt came and processed the scene; the crime is pending further investigation.
• A home on Rt. 9 was burglarized sometime between 4 p.m. on July 6 and 10 a.m. on July 10, police said. The 81-year-old homeowner found his home ransacked and Ptl. Jeff Emslie and Det. Charles Alaimo discovered that the perpetrators forced entry through a basement window.
• A Falcon Drive home was burglarized sometime between noon on July 8 and 11:30 a.m. on July 9. The house has been vacant for a year since it is currently in foreclosure, according to police. The perpetrators entered the home through a basement door and took media equipment from the home theater.
•  Sometime between 5:30 P.M. on July 2 and 4 p.m. on July 3, a 53-year-old man who lives on Rt. 33 told police that a $15 black thermos was removed from his bedroom and that an oscillating fan, valued at $50, was damaged. 
• Stereo speakers, valued at $200, were stolen from an employee-only section of the Monmouth County Library. An employee told police that the speakers had been taken some time up to two weeks before July 2. This case is under police investigation.

Garage Burglaries

• A jar of coins, valued at $90, was stolen from a Valley Drive resident's garage. The victim told police that the jar was taken some time between midnight and 6 a.m. on June 30.  
• An air compressor, valued at $200, was taken from an open or unlocked garage of a Valley Drive resident on July 1. Nothing else was reported missing.
• While nothing was removed, a Wickatunk Road residence's garage was illegally entered sometime on Friday, July 6. No entry was made into the interior of the home, according to police.

Motor Vehicle Burglaries and Thefts

• A 49-year-old Manalapan woman reported her red, 4-door 2002 Saturn SL1 stolen on July 12. She told police that her car was stolen in front of her home on Cooperhawk Dr. between 9 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.
  
• A 2008 Nissan Pathfinder was illegally entered sometime during the overnight hours of June 30 - July 1, police said. A 4G 16GB iPad, valued at $629, was stolen from the car. The 39-year-old car owner told police that she had parked her car on Clinton Drive and Cornell Place prior to the theft and had observed several juveniles in the area.
• An Old Bridge resident had her car burglarized while parked on Tennent Rd. on July 2. Between 7:45 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. someone forcibly entered the car by tampering with the rear tailgate lock. An iPad, briefcase, and iPad cover, the total value of which is $999, was stolen from the vehicle. Anyone with information is advised to contact Ptl. Richard Gallo at 732-446-4300.