Crime & Safety

Neighborhood Watch Tip Helps Catch Alleged Burglar

The man ran through yards trying to escape police, authorities charge.

Written by Daniel Nee

A neighborhood watch volunteer's call led to charges of attempted burglary against a Toms River man, who was caught trying to break into a home on the western edge of the township, Toms River Police said.

Carlton Williams, 43, of Presidential Boulevard, also faces charges of criminal mischief and resisting arrest after the volunteer called police to report a suspicious person in her neighborhood, Chief Michael Mastronardy said.

The volunteer and a postal worker then gave police additional details on where Williams was in the area, Mastronardy said.

Eventually, Sgt. Ted Grob spotted Williams standing on a gas meter while pushing in a screen on a window of a home on Colonial Drive, Mastronardy said.  

"The suspect jumped off the meter, hopped a chain link fence and ran through backyards before he was detained by Officer Steve Austin and Eric Divone," Mastronardy said.

Williams was taken to the Ocean County Jail where he remains in lieu of $50,000 cash bail.


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