Neighbors' Tips Bring Swift Arrest In Bayville Burglaries: Chief

BERKELEY, NJ — A Bayville man has been charged in connection with four burglaries following a string of reports of thefts from unlocked vehicles throughout the township, thanks in part to video surveillance and tips from residents, Berkeley Township Police Chief Karin DiMichele said Tuesday.

Michael K. Connett, 36, of Bell Street, was arrested at his home following the investigation into multiple burglaries along Sloop Creek Drive on Sunday, Sept. 30, DiMichele said.

The burglaries involved unlocked vehicles and among the items stolen were laptop computers, electronics, prescription pills, loose change, currency, gift cards and other personal items, she said.

The Berkeley Township Detective Bureau conducted an intense follow up investigation which included review of surveillance footage and were able to quickly identify Connett as a suspect. Authorities with a search warrant searched his Bell Street home at 9 p.m. and found multiple items that had been reported stolen, DiMichele said.

"It should be noted that multiple concerned citizens and neighborhood residents already alerted to suspicious activity greatly assisted the detective bureau in this case," she said.

Connett was charged with four counts of burglary and four counts of theft by unlawful taking in connection with three of the incidents on Sept. 30 and an additional burglary in July in the same neighborhood, DiMichele said.

More arrests or charges are possible as the evidence is processed, she said.

Also arrested at Connett's home was Joseph Collins, 41, also of Bell Street. He was arrested on an unrelated warrant, she said; Ocean County Corrections records say it is a charge of attempting to cause bodily injury to another.

Both men are being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River awaiting detention hearings.

DiMichele said there have been multiple cases of burglaries to vehicles throughout the Bayville section of the township over the last week. "Car burglars often commit their crimes in sprees, targeting any open vehicle in a particular neighborhood. They are often on foot, and conduct their crimes in the late hours of the night to thwart detection," she said.

The lead investigators on this case were Detective Michael Riccardelli and Detective Joseph Santoro. They were assisted by Detective Lt. Peter La Rocca, Detective William Somers, and Detective Michael O’Connor. This job also included the assistance of Sgt. Scott Stoker, Sgt. Jerry Bacon, Patrolman Taylor Butler and Patrolman Robert Kennedy of the patrol division.

Neighboring towns who also had recent motor vehicle burglaries were present and assisted this included Sergeant Vincent La Rocca of the Ocean Gate Police Department and Officers Nicole Orbin and Steve Araneo of the Pine Beach Police Department . Entry was made by Ocean County Regional SWAT Team assisted the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 unit.

"This is another case where positive citizen/police interaction resulted in a successful outcome," DiMichele said. "Residents concerned about their neighborhood were able to proactively assist."

Berkeley Township Police remind everyone that suspicious activity can be reported by calling 732-341-1132 x 611 or email at tips@btpdnj.org . Tips can remain anonymous.

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Michael K. Connett photo via Ocean County Corrections Department website