2 Charged In String Of Car Break-Ins In Lacey: Police

LACEY, NJ — Two people are charged following a string of car burglaries in two parking lots Tuesday afternoon in Lacey, police said.

It was just before 1 p.m. when Lacey police were alerted to a "suspicious individual" trying to break into cars parked in the Encore Dental parking lot, police said.

That person entered a car and fled the area, police said. Police stopped the car in front of PNC Bank on Lacey Road and found the suspect - Edward McGrath, 38, of Little Egg Harbor.

Surveillance video confirmed that McGrath not only broke into the cars in the dentist parking lot, he also was responsible for several car burglaries at the McDonald's parking lot that had just happened on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor, according to police.

McGrath also had stolen a bag of clothes from a car at McDonald's that was originally from TJ Maxx, police said. Kathleen Papa, 47, also of Little Egg Harbor, returned the clothes to the store and kept the proceeds for herself, police said. Her car was impounded at the scene and both were taken into custody.

McGrath was charged with multiple counts of burglary, theft, receiving stolen property, criminal attempt and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from the break-ins at McDonald's and attempted burglaries at Encore Dental.

Papa was charged with criminal attempt, receiving stolen property and theft.

McGrath was taken to Ocean County Jail, while Papa was released on a criminal summons.

This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Randy Plisat (609) 693-6636 x2608.