A Lakehurst teenager faces burglary and theft charges after police alleged that a resident caught him in the act of stealing from a United States service member. 

Borough police were called to a residence in the Pinehurst Estates, an off-base military housing complex, on Oct. 5 on a report of burglary to a vehicle, said Sgt. Ron Heinzman in a statement. 

"Upon arrival to the area, a resident advised he saw a male subject inside his father's vehicle and when he approached him, [the suspect] turned over a military medallian that he was going to take from the car," Heinzman said.

Officers Matthew Kline and Robert Seiden developed a description of the suspect and located him, a 17-year-old, in a Pinehurst Estates residence, Heinzman said. The suspect, whose name was not released by police because he is a minor, was taken into custody and charged with burglary and theft.

Police released the teenager to his parents' custody pending a Family Court appearance in Toms River, Heinzman said.

Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to contact Kline at 732-657-7812, ext. 312.