Man Caught Trying To Break Into Stafford Homes: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Manahawkin man is accused of stealing property worth more than $20,000 from a Stafford home after he was caught trying to break in to multiple homes in the Stafford Park section of the township, police said.

It was at about 8:40 a.m. on March 28 when Stafford police were alerted to a suspicious man trying to enter multiple residences in the Stafford Park neighborhood, according to a news release.

He was wearing all black and a ski mask, attempting to break into homes in the area of Ashburn Avenue and Payton Drive, police said.

Officers canvassed the area and found the suspect, identified as Donald Reynolds III, 45, police said.

Nearby, police found a Target shopping bag in an open-lid recycling bin. It had been discarded by Reynolds moments before officers arrived, police said.

The bag was found to contain items stolen from a Stafford home, valued at more than $20,000, police said.

Reynolds was charged with residential burglary, attempted residential burglary and theft. He now sits in Ocean County Jail.