Stafford Police Charge Manahawkin Woman With Vehicle Thefts

STAFFORD TOWNSHIP, NJ - Police recently arrested a Manahawkin woman for stealing a unlocked Hyundi Elantra and a Honda Accord on two separate days from homes in the Ocean Acres section of the township, Lt. James R. Vaughn said.

Police responded to a report of a stolen motor vehicle in the area of Leeward Road and Gaff Road at 2:43 p.m. on March 17. The vehicle had been left running before it was taken, he said.

A short time later, Patrolman Brian Fenlon stopped the stolen car near New Washington Avenue. He arrested the driver, Brittney Johnson, 31, Manahawkin, on the scene, Vaughn said.

Further investigation revealed that Johnson had also stolen 2014 Honda Accord from Privateer Road in Ocean Acres on March 15. The car was found the next day in a wooded area off Hull Road, which is also in Ocean Acres, he said.

Johnson also stole and used one of the victim’s credit cards, and stole a small amount of cash from each vehicle, Vaughn said.

Johnson was charged with two counts of theft of moveable property in the third degree, one count of theft of moveable property as a disorderly persons offense, third degree-burglary, and theft by deception as a disorderly persons offense, he said.

She was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

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