Porch Thieves Strike In Two Manalapan Neighborhoods

MANALAPAN, NJ — So-called "porch thefts" continue as home deliveries are targeted.

Police reported two recent incidents in the township:

• Nov. 9: A Manalapan resident, 63, reported that a package containing an iPhone, valued at $1,200, was removed from the front porch of a Taylor Mills Road residence. Patrolman Edward Burns handled the initial report.
• Nov. 11: A Manalapan resident, 64, reported a package valued at $50 was removed from the porch of a Yorktowne Drive residence. Patrolman Anthony Cascella handled the report.

Other crimes reported by Manalapan police include:

• Nov. 13, car theft: An Ocean Township resident, 58, reported that someone stole a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan, valued at approximately $6,000, from the parking lot of the All in a Day Daycare Center, 104 Pension Road in Manalapan. Patrolman Marshall Bitsko handled the report.
• Nov. 10, theft: A Marlboro resident, 65, reported that two unknown women stole a purse containing various credit cards and other credentials from Marshall’s, located at 55 Route 9 in Manalapan. The women then made $2,851 in fraudulent purchases. Patrolman Hunter Mauro handled the report.
• Nov. 14, fraud: A Manalapan resident, 27, told police that someone used the victim's checking account to make fraudulent purchases in the amount of approximately $3,000 at retail stores in New York. Patrolman Matthew Schwartz handled the report.
• Nov. 11, robbery and assault: An Elizabeth resident, 23, told Manalapan police that someone unknown assaulted them and then removed $850 from a vehicle while they were at Holiday Park, located at Pease Road in Manalapan. Detective Jennie Hensley handled the report.
• Nov. 11, theft: A New Egypt resident, 60, reported that someone unknown stole a wallet containing $124 in cash and credit cards while they were shopping at Marshall’s, located at 55 Route 9 in Manalapan. Patrolman Everett McNulty handed the report.

The matters are all being investigated.

There were also arrests made for shoplifting:

• Nov. 10: Employees of Target, 55 Route 9 in Manalapan, reported that a Staten Island woman, 27, tried to shoplift items valued at $1,836.89. Another Staten Island resident, 18, who is employed as a cashier, attempted to shoplift items valued at $649.46. Both women were placed under arrest and transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where they were processed and released after being issued summonses. Patrolman Abdoulaye Diagne was the arresting officer.
• Nov. 10: Employees of the same Target reported to police that a Jackson woman, 20, shoplifted $467.99 worth of items. The woman was placed under arrest and transported to Manalapan Township Police Headquarters where she was processed and released after being issued a summons. Patrolman Christopher Capuzzo was the arresting officer.