Mercedes Stolen, 2nd Burglary Tried In One Morning In Manalapan

MANALAPAN, NJ — Thieves entered a Union Hill Road home early Tuesday morning, stole key fobs and took off with the homeowner's Merccedes Benz, police reported.

And as police were responding to that crime, they got another call from a homeowner on Country Oaks Drive who saw three masked people with a crowbar approaching the property, who then fled, according to a report from Police Chief Edward Niesz.

Here's what happened Tuesday morning, according to the chief:

On March 12, at approximately 3:23 a.m., police received a 911 call for a residential burglary in progress. Patrol units went to the house on Union Hill Road and found that someone entered the house, removed key fobs, and left with the homeowner’s Mercedes Benz.

As patrols were on the scene, another incident was reported by the resident of Country Oaks Drive.

The resident there reported that his Ring app detected motion on the property. The resident said three people, dressed in all black, wearing gloves and holding a yellow crowbar, approaching the residence. The homeowner turned on lights in the house, causing the three to flee, Niesz said.

With this going on, patrols "saturated the area," Niesz said.

Meanwhile, Patrolman Michael DeCristofaro saw a suspicious vehicle on Gray Court. As he approached it, it hastily maneuvered around the patrol vehicle and drove over a curb, ultimately fleeing at a high rate of speed, Niesz said.

As this vehicle fled, DeCristofaro saw a second vehicle - a Mercedes Benz - exiting a driveway on Gray Court. The vehicle was driven off at a high rate of speed.

Manalapan Township Police Detective Matthew Meyler and Detective Douglas Zike responded to the scenes to further investigate the crimes.

"Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident within the confines of Manalapan Township. Auto theft and associated residential burglaries to access keys and key fobs is a criminal trend affecting the entire tri-state region," Niesz said Wednesday.

He said these types of incidents are occurring in surrounding towns and throughout our state and neighboring states.

"Investigators at the federal, state, county, and local levels are working together in an attempt to identify and arrest suspects, and recover the vehicles," he said.

He reminded residents to activate any and all alarms and security systems, secure their vehicles and residence doors and windows. Remove keys and key fobs from vehicles.

Report any and all suspicious activity immediately, he said.

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the department's non-emergency number: 732-446-4300. For emergencies, dial 911.