Porch Theft Hits Manalapan Again

MANALAPAN, NJ — Another porch theft was reported last week in the township, police said in a report.

On Nov. 2, a Manalapan resident, 86, reported that someone removed a package valued at $74.64 from the porch of a Covered Bridge Boulevard residence. Patrolman James Joiner handled the report.

This was the fourth theft of packages reported in the township since September. In one case, employees of Make-A-Wish New Jersey told police that items valued at $2,001 - delivered to a Baltusrol Drive residence - were stolen Oct. 2.

Other types of crimes reported in the township last week include the following:

• Nov. 4: A resident, 37, reported that someone tried to gain entry to a Sweetmans Lane residence by opening an unlocked window. It appears that no entry was made to the residence, and nothing was reported stolen as a result of this incident. Patrolman Jeffrey Emslie handled the report.
• Nov. 3: A resident, 43, told police that someone removed a temporary New Jersey license plate from a vehicle. Patrolman Michael DeCristofaro handled the report.
• Nov. 3: A resident, 71, told police someone obtained and deposited a check the victim had mailed in the amount of $6,529.03. Patrolman Joseph Santomarco handled the report.
• Nov. 1: A resident, 59, reported that a 39-year-old Manalapan resident struck the victim with a shovel during a verbal dispute. No complaints were signed as a result of this incident. Patrolman Connor Kelly handled the report.
• Nov. 3: Employees of the Target Department Store, 55 Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that an unknown male exited the store without rendering payment for merchandise valued at $299.90. Patrolman Joseph Santomarco handled the report.
• Nov. 7: A 71-year-old, married, unemployed Toms River woman was arrested for shoplifting $84.03 worth of merchandise from the Target on Route 9. The woman was placed under arrest and transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where she processed and subsequently released after being issued a summons. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz was the arresting officer.
• Nov. 4: Employees of the Doctor’s Office Urgent Care, 120 Craig Road in Manalapan, reported that the door at the business was damaged. The cost of the damage was estimated to be approximately $500. Patrolman Christopher Schou handled the report.
• Nov. 1: A Manalapan resident, 40, reported to police that someone vandalized an Arbach Lane residence and a vehicle that was parked at the residence. Patrolman Edward Burns handled the report.

The matters are all pending investigation by police.