Holmdel PD Charges Manalapan, Freehold Men In Credit Card Theft

HOLMDEL, NJ - Two individuals were arrested and charged this week in connection with a credit card theft investigation, according to the Holmdel Township Police Department.

Derick Lawrence, 59, of Freehold and Murray Whitfield, 55, of Manalapan, were charged with credit card theft, fraudulent use of a credit card, conspiracy to commit the fraudulent use of a credit card, and criminal attempt to use a credit card fraudulently, according to a news release from the department. The charges follow a monthslong investigation led by Det. Andrew Kret.

Kret began the investigation in January 2020 after receiving a report from the victim that someone had used their credit card at multiple stores in the area, according to the release. The investigation revealed that the card had been used in Red Bank and Old Bridge, with over $1,000 completed or attempted charges.

Following the investigation, Lawrence was arrested, charged and committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute pending a court appearance. Whitfield was already in custody at the Correctional Institute on an unrelated incident and is pending a court appearance.

Thanks for reading! Got a news tip? Email nicole.rosenthal@patch.com.
Click here to get Patch email notifications, or get breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app, download here. Follow Holmdel-Hazlet Patch on Facebook.