Cops Nab Man Linked To Southern Ocean Business Burglaries

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A man linked to burglaries of businesses in Manahawkin and Little Egg Harbor was caught early Friday morning, police said. Alfred Oliveri, of Toms River, broke into three businesses in Little Egg Harbor and five in Manahawkin, police said.

The Stafford and Little Egg Harbor police department both had surveillance photos and footage of Oliveri. They had asked the public for help identifying the suspect over the last couple weeks.

Oliveri, 61, broke into Little Egg Harbor's Naples Pizzeria Oct. 9, police said. He forced the door open and took cash from the register, according to authorities. He also had a pry bar with him, police said.

Then he damaged the back door of and stole cash from Pine Cone Ice Cream Shop on Route 9 on Oct. 10, authorities said. Little Egg Harbor posted photos of Oliveri on Facebook for help identifying him, but all leads came up negative.

Stafford police then announced on Monday that someone broke into several businesses in and around Manahawkin. They believed he was the same person Little Egg Harbor police were looking for.

Oliveri burglarized Mama Maria's Pizzeria on Route 9 and then forced entry into four locations at the 25 South Main St. shopping plaza: Jersey Mike's, Asian Gourmet, Andy's Pizzeria and an abandoned storefront, Stafford police said.

The man is also linked to burglaries in Monmouth County, according to Little Egg Harbor police.

Toms River police saw Oliveri riding a bicycle Friday morning and arrested him. He was charged with two counts of burglary, two counts of criminal mischief, two counts of theft and two counts of possession of burglary tools, police said. Oliveri was taken to the Ocean County Jail.

This wasn't Oliveri's first burglary spree, according to past reports. Oliveri was indicted in 2016 for burglarizing five Brick businesses, according to the Asbury Park Press. He stole more than $500 worth of shrimp from Buffalo Wild Wings in the spree, the Asbury Park Press reported.

He was also arrested in 2015 for attempted burglary of the Lacey Diner, police said. Lacey police recognized him from an investigation they conducted in 2004, which led to other charges of commercial burglaries.

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