Forked River Duo Charged In String Of Car Thefts: Police

Two Forked River residents were charged Thursday in connection to a string of recent car burglaries around Berkeley and Lacey, police said.

The duo are suspected to have committed some of the burglaries in unlocked cars reported in those towns since December, police said. One is responsible for a car stolen in Lacey last week, according to police.

Corey Heulitt, 29, and Michael Mennicucci, 33, were charged after a joint investigation from Berkeley, Lacey and Ocean Gate police, authorities said. Authorities raided their Pensacola Road home following the burglary investigation, police said.

Police found Huelitt possessing heroin and other evidence connecting him to the stolen car, according to authorities. Cops also discovered evidence from many of the vehicle burglaries, authorities said.

Heulitt was charged with 13 counts of burglary and theft of an automobile, police said. Mennicucci was charged with two counts of burglary and theft, according to police.

Over 30 motor vehicle burglaries have been reported in Berkeley, Lacey and Ocean Gate since January, police said. They mostly occurred during overnight hours by people wearing dark clothing, face masks, hoods and gloves, according to police. The perpetrators often stole credit cards, electronics, gift cards, loose change and other personal items, police said.

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