Man Stole High Jump Equipment From East Brunswick High, Cops Say

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ — Inexplicably, a man was caught stealing high jump equipment and hurdles from the East Brunswick High School last week, police announced. The high jump equipment was going to be used by the East Brunswick track team for their upcoming spring season, and was kept in a locked trailer on school grounds.

Additionally, he was found to be in possession of heroin and hypodermic needles. East Brunswick police would not speculate as to why he allegedly stole the equipment. He may have wanted to sell the metal as scrap metal.

The curious incident occurred just after midnight last Thursday, Feb. 22: A police officer patrolling the area around the high school noticed a dark-colored SUV parked against the high school fence line on Lycoming Lane. The SUV's trunk was open and an unknown object was hanging out.

The officer stopped and learned that the driver of the vehicle, Jeffrey Cohen, 33, of Toms River, had stolen the high jump apparatus and hurdles, valued at $11,000 from the locked trailer, police said.

Cohen was charged with burglary, theft, possession of stolen property, heroin possession and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was remanded to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Center.

Photo via the East Brunswick School District