$83K Credit Card Fraud Reported To Manalapan Police

MANALAPAN, NJ — A township resident was the victim of an $83,000 credit card fraud, Manalapan police reported.

The resident, 48, told police on Feb.21 that a Brooklyn, NY, resident fraudulently used their personal information to open a credit card account and then made $83,405.69 in charges.

The department is investigating the matter. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz handled the report.

Law enforcement officials say that identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the country.

The Manalapan Police Department website offers links for more information on how to protect yourself from these types of crimes. Visit the site here.

Other frauds were also reported in the department's weekly recap of criminal incidents:

• Feb. 21: A Manalapan resident, 42, told police an unknown person used their personal information to fraudulently purchase an online gift card valued at $399.. Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 26: A Manalapan resident, 26, reported that someone used their personal information to fraudulently open credit card accounts. Patrolman JeanMarie Kaminski handled the report, which is pending further investigation.

Incidents of theft, burglary and shoplifting were also reported by police:

• Feb. 27: A Manalapan resident, 57, reported that a cell phone, valued at $1,000, was stolen from an unknown location in Manalapan. Patrolman Abdoulaye Diagne handled the report.
• Feb. 26: A Jamesburg resident, 19, told police an unidentified person stole $260 from a purse while at the Target on Route 9 in Manalapan. Patrolman Christopher Makwinski handled the report.
• Feb. 26: At about 12:30 a.m. a person burglarized the Exxon gas station on Route 9, and stole $200 worth of merchandise. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 25: At about 3:49 a.m., an unidentified person burglarized Luxury Labels, located on Route 9 in Manalapan, and stole an undetermined amount of merchandise. Patrolman Everett McNulty handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 22: A Freehold resident, 77, reported that an unknown person stole a wallet containing $590 while at Home Goods, Route 9 in Manalapan. Patrolman Matthew Parke handled the report.
• Feb. 23: Employees of Best Buy, Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that an unknown person shoplifted items valued at $2,358.89. Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 22: Employees of Wegmans Supermarket, Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that two unknown persons shoplifted items valued at $106.93. Patrolman Brandon Rodrigues handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 22: Employees of Home Sense, located Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that an unknown person shoplifted items valued at $89.98. Patrolman Brandon Rodrigues handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 22: Employees of Home Sense, Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that three unknown persons shoplifted items valued at $333.94. Patrolman Brandon Rodrigues handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 22: Employees of Home Sense, Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that two unknown persons shoplifted items valued at $849.93. Patrolman Brandon Rodrigues handled the report, which is pending further investigation.

In other incidents:

• Feb. 24: A Farmingdale resident, reported being assaulted by an acquaintance and several other unknown actors in the area of Tennent Road in Manalapan. Patrolman James Guarino handled the report, which is pending further investigation.
• Feb. 27: A Marlboro resident, 67, was charged with driving while intoxicated following a motor vehicle crash at the intersection of Tennent Road and Wickatunk Road in Manalapan. The man was placed under arrest and then released after being issued summonses. Patrolman Brandon Rodrigues was the arresting officer.