ATV Thief Foiled After Police Officer Pulls Him Over In Howell

HOWELL, NJ — A Howell Township police officer who pulled over an ATV as the driver was trying to cross Route 9 on Friday foiled the man's attempt to steal four ATVs from a Howell home, police said.

Howell police said Patrolman Brandon Rollo was on patrol just before 3 a.m. when he saw the man riding the ATV at West Farms Road.

When he pulled the ATV over to investigate, the rider asked why he was being stopped, police said.

As Rollo approached the man, a dispatch came across his radio from police headquarters alerting officers that a homeowner on Stuart Street woke up to find his home had been burglarized and four ATVs stolen, police said.

The ATV driver heard the broadcast and took off running, police said.

Rollo was joined by Patrol Officers Michael Maccia, Jerry Perez, Michael Divona and John Nista and Sgt. Edward Homiek, who set up a perimeter, and Sgt. Nicholas Bondarew, who tried to track the man with his K-9 Vito.

The man escaped, however, police said.

All four ATVS were recovered and returned to the homeowner, police said. The investigation is continuing.

"Great job by Ptl. Rollo and the Midnight Squad in recovering all 4 ATVs," the police department's Facebook post said.