West Long Branch Man Charged with Burglarizing Cars, Stealing Copper from Former Employer in Wall Township

A West Long Branch man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft from his former employment location, authorities say.

Robert W. Ferrante, 26, had been an employee at NJR Home Services, located on Belmar Boulevard in Wall, and was responsible for recent motor vehicle burglaries and thefts of copper and Freon refrigerant cylinder’s at the location, according to Wall Police Chief Robert L. Brice.

At approximately 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, a New Jersey Natural Gas security guard reported observing a suspicious person while monitoring surveillance cameras at the business. Police identified the suspicious person as the former employee, who was a suspect in the police investigation of the previous burglaries and thefts at the location.

Ferrante was arrested and charged with four (4) counts of 3rd degree burglary, four (4) counts of 3rd degree theft, one (1) count of disorderly person for possession of a burglary tool (screwdriver) and one (1) count of disorderly person for resisting arrest.

Ferrante is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold Township on $90,000 bail, with no ten percent option, as set by Wall Township Municipal Court Judge Joseph F. DeFino.

Ferrante’s 2004 Dodge Ram pickup was used in the commission of crime and therefore was seized pending forfeiture, Brice said.

Detective Christopher Lisewski led the investigation that resulted in Ferrante’s arrest.


Citizens with information who wish to remain anonymous about a crime or fugitive may contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; text “MONMOUTH”, plus their tip to 274637; or, email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com.

Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.