Brick Man Arrested in Burglaries of 7 Township Businesses

Brick police have arrested and charged a township man with burglary and theft after they say he illegally entered seven businesses, took items from them and attempted to gain entry to three more.

A second suspect in the case is also being sought, Capt. Robert Mazza said.

According to Mazza, James R. Donegan of Drum Point Road has been charged with the burglaries, which were reported to police at about 7:20 a.m. Sunday morning. The businesses affected were all located in Red Lion Plaza off Drum Point Road. As police continued their investigation, Mazza said, three more businesses at 143 Drum Point Road were found to have had a burglar attempt to gain access.

With the exception of DeCaro’s Pizza, where entry was made through the side window, all the business sustained damage to their rear doors "where forced entry was attempted or completed," said Mazza.

More than $500 in cash and other items were taken from each of the businesses where entry was gained, Mazza said. Additionally, damage to the businesses' rear doors is currently estimated at $7,500.

The pizza shop, as well as Sub Shack; New York Touch Nail Salon; Red Lion Cleaners; Wishing Well Cards & Gifts; Mega Nails and Dog House were burglarized. Entry was attempted at Jersey Farms, Sunshine Fruit & Vegetable Market and Boardwalk Hot Dogs.

Detective Dan Waleski investigated the case along with Detective Pete Thomas. An arrest was made "within hours," said Mazza.

Donegan was charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft. His bail was set at $25,000 cash by Municipal Court Judge Robert Lepore. A check of jail records showed Donegan was not being lodged in the Ocean County Jail as of Thursday afternoon.

"The investigation is continuing and charges are pending for the second suspect," said Mazza.

Anyone with information on the case is being asked to contact Waleski at 732-262-1120.