2 Teens Charged In 'Profound Acts Of Vandalism' In Howell, More Arrests Likely: Police

HOWELL, NJ — Tar poured down a storm drain. Lawn ornaments thrown onto rooftops. A stolen golf cart taken on a joyride that left a swath of damage in its wake.

Those are just a few in what Howell Township police say is a string of vandalism acts that have left residents in the Point O'Woods on edge.

On Tuesday, two 16-year-olds from Howell Township were arrested in connection with the incidents; more arrests are likely over the coming days, Howell Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said.

The incidents happened between Aug. 21 and Aug. 24, and on Sept. 17 in the development off Bergerville Road and in nearby areas, Antunez said. After the Sept. 17 incidents, Point O'Woods management distributed a letter alerting residents to “several profound acts of escalating vandalism and theft” and asking them to call police with information.

The suspects are accused of breaking into the Point O'Woods association’s maintenance garage and stealing a golf cart, which they then drove around the neighborhood, running over several street signs and causing extensive damage to Michael Tighe Park in Freehold Township, Antunez said. The golf cart, found abandoned in a nearby mobile home community, sustained extensive damage.

The two teens also are suspected of pouring tar down a storm drain, ripping street signs out of the ground, throwing lawn ornaments onto rooftops and throwing outdoor furniture in the association’s communal pool, he said.

Residents posting on social media and on the Howell Happenings Facebook page said there were multiple paintball incidents Monday night.

Antunez said detectives Eric Encarnacion, David Gilliland and T.J. Hurley investigated and arrested the two teens at about 2 p.m. Tuesday. They were charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief. Their names were not released because they are juveniles.

The teens were released to the custody of their parents and the case forwarded to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Juvenile Division, Antunez said.

"The Howell Police Department again thanks those who provided the police with information that helped solve these cases," he said. "We remind the public that anonymous tips can be provided directly to the Howell police Department via www.p3tips.com."

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