Crime & Safety

Police Blotter: 3 Charged in JCP&L Copper Theft Scheme

Police say the Manchester residents plotted to steal copper from JCP&L's Whiting substation

Manchester police arrested three township residents for their alleged involvement in the attempted theft of copper from the JCP&L Whiting Substation last week.

Police responded to the facility on Station Road on June 30 after receiving a report of two individuals walking around the area and wearing dark clothing at about 4 a.m., according to information released by Sgt. Vincent Manco.

After what Manco said was "an extensive search," Timothy Fircha, 22, was arrested by police after exiting woods near the scene.

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Police then located and arrested an alleged accomplice, Jaclyn Pease, 20, in a parked car near the substation.

Manco and Ptl. Patrick Cervenak were the arresting officers at the scene.

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"The on-scene investigation revealed that a third party had also been involved and that the three had conspired to commit a theft of copper from the substation," Manco said in an email. 

That additional suspect, Brad Golaszewski, 19, was identified and arrested by Ptl. Marc Micciulla on July 1. 

Police impounded and searched the vehicle used by the suspects, finding "an assortment of burglary tools," Manco said.

The investigation led police to charge Fircha and Golaszewski with possession of burglary tools and criminal attempt to commit theft, while Pease faces conspiracy to commit theft and possession of burglary tools charges, Manco said. 

Fircha and Pease were released after being served with summonses pending court dates. Golaszewski was taken to the Ocean County Jail in Toms River and held on $15,000 bond, according to Manco.


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