$28K Home Contractor Fraud Reported In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — In its weekly crime report, Manalapan police received numerous fraud complaints from the public, including from a person who said a contractor defrauded them of a $28,800 deposit. All matters are under investigation:

• March 25: A Freehold Township resident, 56, told police of being defrauded of $28,800 after providing a deposit to a residential contractor for work, which was never completed. Patrolman Aaron Abeles handled the report.
• March 22: A Manalapan resident reported that someone stole an E-Z Pass transponder and unlawfully charged $308.35 to the account. Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report.
• March 22: A Manalapan resident, 78, told police that someone purporting to be an employee of the federal government contacted the victim via telephone and defrauded them of $1,500. Patrolman James Joiner handled the report.
• March 21: A Manalapan resident, 32, reported that someone made $183.16 in fraudulent charges using their bank debit card information. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz handled the report.
• March 21: A Manalapan resident, 76, reported that someone used their personal information to unlawfully purchase an undetermined number of items during the course of the past year. Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report.

There were also several incidences of theft reported at Best Buy in Manalapan:

• March 25: Employees of Best Buy reported a theft of merchandise valued at $169.99. Patrolman Jeffrey Emslie handled the report.
• March 21: Employees of Best Buy reported that someone shoplifted items valued at $754.90. Patrolman Vincent Rubino handled the report.
• March 21: Employees of Best Buy reported that someone used false identification to fraudulently obtain credit to purchase merchandise valued at $1,499.99. Patrolman Vincent Rubino handled the report.
• March 21: Employees of Best Buy reported that someone shoplifted items valued at $311.92. Patrolman Vincent Rubino handled the report.
• March 21: Employees of Best Buy reported that someone shoplifted items valued at $1,800.08. Patrolman Vincent Rubino handled the report.