Fire Lit In Unlocked Car, Others Broken Into By Lacey Man: Officials

LACEY, NJ — A Lacey man received several burglary and theft charges after a series of incidents that ended with him lighting a car on fire, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Brian Salters, 43, of Forked River, was charged with six counts of burglary, three counts of attempted burglary, two counts of theft, shoplifting and criminal mischief, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer and Lacey Police Chief Michael DiBella said.

On Aug. 1, Salters shoplifted an energy drink from a Lacey Wawa, according to an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit-Arson Squad and Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau.

After Salters left the store, he went to North Hollywood Boulevard, where he broke into six cars, removing loose change from two of them, officials said. Salters also tried unsuccessfully to break into three additional cars, officials said.

While Salters was breaking into a car, he lit a fire in the passenger compartment, then fled on a bicycle, officials said.

Salters was served with these charges on Aug. 22 at Ocean County Jail, where he was already lodged on unrelated charges, officials said.

"The arrest of this defendant should serve as a reminder to everyone to lock their vehicles locked at all times, especially overnight. Although there is no evidence to suggest that this defendant attempted to steal any of these vehicles, there has been a dramatic increase in stolen vehicles statewide," Billhimer said. "Locking your vehicle and securing your key fob inside your home at night is the best protection against having your vehicle broken into or even worse – stolen."