Man Stole Pool Pumps From 4 Brick Homes, Police Say

An Ocean County man has been charged in connection with the theft of pool pumps and other pool equipment from four Brick Township homes earlier this month, Brick police said Thursday.

Andrew Howard, 29, of River Avenue, Lakewood, is facing four counts of theft in the case, which netted items valued at more than $3,000, Sgt. Larry Petrola said.

Police responded to reports of pool pumps and other items stolen from four Brick residences the week of July 19. Detective Brenden Barnes found through his investigation that all of the victims had used the same local pool company for their pool service, Petrola said.

With the cooperation of the pool company, Barnes was able to identify Howard as the suspect in the thefts. Howard responded to Brick Township Police Headquarters on July 29 and was subsequently charged. Howard was processed and released on a criminal summons with a pending court date, he said.

The investigation is continuing and anyone who believes that they may have additional information is asked to contact Detective Barnes at 732-262-4611, Petrola said.