Galloway Mayor Chases Down Man Who Broke Into His Restaurant: PD

GALLOWAY, NJ — Galloway's mayor sprung into action Wednesday night when he saw a man burglarizing his restaurant for the second time in two days. Mayor Anthony Coppola Jr. chased the suspect and brought him into police custody, authorities said.

George Dean Jr. had stolen the keys to several Smithville businesses and had burglarized Fred & Ethel's Tuesday night, according to police. Staff alerted Coppola at 11:11 p.m. Wednesday that the same man tried entering the back door. Dean was wearing the same "Loser" embroidered jacket as the night before, police said.

Coppola left the business and chased Dean while calling 911, telling police his location. The mayor caught him and took him to police down the road. Police recovered the keys to local businesses, and no one was injured.

Dean, 31, of Port Republic, also burglarized the Sprit gas station last weekend, police said. Galloway police said they were grateful for Coppola's swift reaction to call 911 and to chase him down, but they don't expect citizens to do the latter.

"His brave actions have no doubt saved the police and other local business from a pre holiday crime spree," Galloway PD said in a release. "We do not expect citizens to put their lives in danger. Thankfully this was a good ending for all involved."

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