Asbury Park Business Burglaries: 1 Charged, Police Say

ASBURY PARK, NJ - One individual has been charged in connection with at least two burglaries on Cookman Avenue in Asbury Park, authorities said.

Derek M. Charpentier, 23, of Asbury Park, was charged with two counts of burglary and two counts of theft, Sgt. Michael Casey of the Asbury Park Police Department told Patch on Friday. He was accompanied by Jessica Funk, 32, during his arrest Friday morning near Springwood Avenue and Memorial Drive, where the pair was found to be in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, heroin, marijuana and Xanax without a prescription, police said.

Charpentier and Funk were both charged with two counts of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, Casey said. Funk was released on a summons with a pending court date while Charpentier was transported and lodged at Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

The burglary incidents in question occurred at Rebel Supply Company (550 Cookman Avenue) on March 29, and again at Confections of a Rock Star (550 Cookman Avenue) on March 31, Casey previously told Patch.

Both events occurred overnight. The assailant entered the businesses by breaking the glass to a rear entry door, removing cash from both storefronts, Casey added.

The Asbury Park Police Department is asking business owners and residents to report suspicious activity to 732-774-1300 option 0.