Another Point Boro Business Burglarized

The Touch of Class hair salon on Bridge Avenue was burglarized over the weekend, only two blocks away from Dairy Queen that was police said Monday.

And that was only two months after O'Brien's Florist and Landscaping, just a block east of Dairy Queen, was burglarized.

There have also been a number of homes and unlocked cars entered recently and items have been stolen, according to police.

In the latest incident, police received a call from an employee at Touch of Class, 2610 Bridge Ave., Point Borough, at 8:52 a.m Mon. that there had been a burglary and theft at the hair and nail salon, said Captain Richard Larsen.

Sometime between late afternoon Saturday and Monday morning, entry was made through a rear window, which had been broken and pried open, Larsen said.

Cash was stolen from a cash register, said Larsen, adding police are not yet disclosing the amount, pending an ongoing investigation by Detective Joe Hynes and Officer Brad McNally. Ocean County Criminalistics Investigation Unit also responded to the scene on Monday to gather evidence and assist in the investigation.

Owner Judy Rogacki said in an interview at the salon on Monday afternoon that cash and a few employee pay checks were stolen from a box in the salon's kitchen, where cabinets had been opened.

She said this is the first time the salon had been burglarized since she bought it in 1976.

"I feel violated," said Rogacki, who lives in the Poconos and had driven down today after being notified by the employees. "It's very upsetting. Things aren't getting better down here, that's for sure. I've kind of had it anyway, I'm nearing retirement here, the place will probably be on the market soon."

The salon, typically open seven days a week, was open for business on Monday and will continue to be open on Tuesday.

While there have been no other commercial burglaries reported between the Dairy Queen incident and the burglary at the hair salon, there have been a number of homes and unlocked cars entered and items stolen, Larsen said.

An unlocked car on Bridge Avenue was entered on March 14 and was the target of a theft.

On March 15, a car was stolen from the parking lot of Route 88, but later recovered and an arrest made, Larsen said. The alleged car thief knew the victim, the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released shortly, he said.

On Bay Isle Drive, outdoor patio furniture and outdoor speakers were reported stolen on March 15.

On March 16, an unlocked car was entered and items stolen.

On March 19, there was a house burglary on Curtis Avenue and jewelry was taken. Detective Ed Miller has identified a possible suspect in that case and the investigation is continuing.

On March 23, an IPod and a phone charger were taken from an unlocked car on Hillside sometime between 11 p.m. the night before and 1:45 p.m. on the 23rd. The incident was reported at 2:09 p.m.

On March 28, a set of front and rear car license plates were stolen from a car parked on Oak Street. A car with the stolen license plates was spotted in Toms River, but the driver managed to elude police. The investigation is ongoing.

Larsen said there is not much residents can do to prevent this type of theft, but added that residents may want to check their plates daily to make sure they are still on the car. He said criminals driving a particular make and model car sometimes search an area for a similar make and model and steal the plates.

On Sunday, a go-cart was reported stolen from a backyard on Curtis Avenue. Officer Kevin Aurin has developed two possible suspects in an ongoing investigation.

An apartment on Burnt Tavern Road may have been entered on March 15, when no sign of forced entry was detected, but a cabinet had been left open and, on the next day, pry marks were found on the back door, Larsen said.

Police are again urging all residents and business people to lock cars, homes and businesses, to take every precaution and report any suspicious activity or information about any of the above incidents to call police at (732) 892-0060.