Police: Lacey Man Scared Off Manchester Car Burglar

A Manchester man was recently arrested in relation to a motor vehicle burglary, a crime that has been prominent throughout Lacey Township lately.

At approximately 7:53 p.m. March 10 officers were dispatched to a motor vehicle burglary on the 700 Block of Alpine Street. Someone entered a vehicle but was scared off by the vehicle’s owner.

The vehicle’s owner supplied police with a detailed description of the actor who fled on foot. Officer Andrew Slota spotted a subject matching the description walking near the 700 Block of Chelsea Street. The person ignored the officer’s orders to stop.

Chad Williams, 45, was stopped and placed under arrest after being positively identified by the vehicle owner. Williams was charged with burglary and bail was set at $10,000. Williams was transported to Ocean County Jail after being processed.

“Residents have reported that their unlocked cars have been entered and valuables have been stolen during the overnight hours,” a crime alert on the Lacey Township Police Department’s website stated. 

The thefts have occurred in the Upper Pines, including Lake Barnegat Drive, Tappan Street, Alpine Street and Williams Avenue in Forked River.

“Residents are reminded to lock their vehicles,” the crime alert said. “Although an adult male was caught in the process of burglarizing a vehicle, arrested, charged, and committed to jail, the incidents continue.”

Police Chief David Paprota provide the following information: 

March 10
At approximately 10:43 p.m., Officer George Resetar responded to a residence on Tufts Court for a report of stolen prescriptions.

The victim reported collecting and bagging their expired prescriptions in anticipation of turning them in to the police station. Upon checking, the victim was unable to locate the bag.

There were no signs of a forced entry into the residence nor any other items discovered missing. The reported stolen property includes: a large black tote bag with colored horses, value: $15, along with an unknown quantity of prescription pill bottles containing expired pills. 

March 10
At approximately 11:35 a.m., Officer Darrell Nick responded to a residence located on Haines Street East, Lanoka Harbor. A resident who reported their unlocked vehicle was entered and items were stolen between 7 p.m. on March 9 and 11:30 a.m. on March 10.

Reported stolen were a black iPod 2 with a case and a black iPod Touch with a case, valued at a total of $200. The burglarized vehicle was parked on Cedarwood Drive in Lanoka Harbor. 

March 8
At approximately 8 p.m., Officer George Resetar took a report from a Forked River adult female. This victim reported that she suspects a family member stole a prescription bottle from her vehicle.

The prescription is further described as a CVS plastic orange pill bottle containing 15 to 20 30mg Oxycontin pills, valued at $15. The estimated street value is $500. 

March 8
At approximately 2:46 p.m., while at police headquarters, Officer Jeffrey Slota met with a 21 year-old, female resident of Manahawkin, who reported her small black and white wristlet purse was stolen inside the Forked River House.

She explained that she placed her purse on the bar in front of a friend. Upon her return, she was unable to locate her purse. The purse contained a Samsung Galaxy SII cell phone, cash, vehicle keys and a NJ Driver’s License. The total value of the stolen items is $240. 

March 6
At approximately 11:01 a.m., Officer Paul Sullivan, Jr., met with an owner of a home located on Molokai Drive. The homeowner reported the home was damaged during Superstorm Sandy and is not currently occupied but under repair.

Upon visiting their home, the resident discovered two damaged windows located in the rear of the house. Both of these windows displayed pry marks and one of the windows appeared to have been opened. There were no items reported missing from inside the residence. The damage to both windows is estimated at $300.00.