2 Caught In Stolen U-Haul, Stafford Police Say

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — Two Toms River men were charged after Stafford Township police stopped a U-Haul that had been reported stolen earlier the same day, according to Stafford Township police.

Police said the investigation began March 19, 2026, when Dominic Joa, 28, of Washington Street in Toms River, arrived at the Stafford Township Municipal Complex driving a U-Haul truck and parked in the public lot.

Joa then went inside to handle personal affairs with the Stafford Township Police Department, according to police. Shortly after he left the area, police received information that the vehicle he had been operating had been reported stolen that day by the Toms River Township Police Department.

Patrol officers then located the vehicle traveling westbound on Route 72, according to police. A felony motor vehicle stop was conducted near Wendy’s, and police said Joa was taken into custody along with a second person, Eliangel Perez, 24, of Hooper Avenue in Toms River, who police said was also associated with the incident.

Both men were taken to police headquarters, where the Stafford Township Police Department Detective Bureau and the Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau conducted a follow-up investigation, according to police.

During that investigation, police determined the men took the U-Haul vehicle from a rental center in Toms River and attempted to enter multiple U-Haul facilities throughout southern New Jersey with criminal intent. Police also said the suspects possessed stolen credit cards and identification cards.

As a result, Joa was charged with one count of third-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle and one count of fourth-degree credit card theft, according to police. Perez was charged with one count of third-degree receiving a stolen motor vehicle, police said.

Both men were lodged in Ocean County Jail and are to appear in Ocean County Superior Court, according to police.