Middletown Boy, 13, Stole Asphalt Roller, Drove It Through Union Beach

UNION BEACH, NJ — A 13-year-old boy stole a 2,000-pound asphalt roller from a construction site in Union Beach and drove it around town, police in that town announced Tuesday evening.

The boy drove the heavy-duty construction vehicle down Park, Central and Spruce streets, said police. Neither he or anyone else was injured in the apparent joyride, nor were any Union Beach cars damaged by the 1-ton construction vehicle.

He is a 13-year-old boy from Middletown, said Union Beach Police Chief Michael Woodrow.

"The 13-yr-old (Middletown resident) was able to manage to take and operate from the construction site a 1-ton asphalt roller," said the police chief. "(He drove it) from Park Avenue to Central to Spruce Street."

It was Patrolman Kevin Finucan who was able to stop the teen, and take him into custody.

"This could have had a very different ending," Police Sgt. Michael Davis said. "Fortunately the juvenile nor anyone else was not injured."

Residents in the area of Park, Central and Spruce streets are being asked to check their vehicles for tangible damage and report damage directly to Ptl. Finucan at (732) 264-0313.