Here's 'Jeff': State Police Charge Lacey Man In Toms River Construction Vehicle Theft

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Lacey Township man has been charged with the theft of a construction vehiclethat was stolen from a construction site near the Garden State Parkway and abandoned on Water Street, New Jersey State Police said.

Jeffrey Emanuel, 36, of Lanoka Harbor, was arrested earlier this week and charged in the theft of a crash attenuator truck about 11 p.m. on July 18, state police said in a post on Facebook. The vehicle was taken from a construction site on Lakehurst Road prior to the on-ramp of the Garden State Parkway in Toms River and ultimately abandoned at the Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority on Water Street, state police said.

"Our detectives obtained video and audio surveillance from inside the truck, which revealed the suspect audibly referring to himself as 'Jeff,' ” the post said. "And so we were left pondering whether or not 'Jeff' was an unseen accomplice, imaginary friend, or the first name of the suspect."

As it turned out, Emmanuel apparently was referring to himself in the third person, police said. He was charged with second-degree theft of a motor vehicle and released pending a future court date, state police said.

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State police announced the arrest in a bemused Facebook post titled "The Jeff:"

"Have you ever referred to yourself in the third person? Probably. Maybe you used it for dramatic effect at a social gathering or as a way to psyche yourself up for a competition, final exam, or job interview. Maybe you know someone who refers to themselves in the third person all of the time. It happens. Just to be clear, referring to yourself in the third person would sound something like this: Your name is Jimmy. And you say something like, “Jimmy would like to get to know you.”

>> READ MORE: 'Jeff' Sought In Toms River Construction Vehicle Theft: NJSP

"Now, you may be wondering where NJSP is going with this. Did NJSP miss NJSP’s morning cup of Joe. Is NJSP losing it, going on long-winded rants? Is NJSP referring to itself in the third person? Well, NJSP would like to thank our followers whose tips helped our detectives arrest an alleged truck thief!"

"If only all of our suspects caught on video would refer to themselves in the third person, it sure would make our job a lot easier," the post said. "And remember, if you commit a crime on our turf, well, NJSP would like to get to know you."

"Once again, we thank you for liking and sharing our posts, and we thank you for all of the tips! Our detectives do great work, and even the smallest leads can crack a case!"

Jeffrey Emmanuel photo via New Jersey State Police