Man Pried Doors With Crowbar, Smashed Glass To Burglarize Stores, Police Say

A homeless man who has been charged with burglarizing a yogurt shop in Brick is suspected in a string of commercial burglaries in town, Brick police said Thursday.

The burglaries, committed between Aug. 5 and Aug. 23, were similar in that in each case, a man was seen on video surveillance prying business doors open with a crowbar -- in two instances he smashed the front glass door -- and once inside, targeted the cash registers, Brick Sgt. Larry Petrola said. The burglaries all occurred during the overnight hours and in each case, the same man was identified on the surveillance video, Detective Daniel Waleski, with the assistance of Detective Robert Shepherd, found during their investigation, Petrola said.

Alfred Oliveri, 58, a homeless man staying in the area, was identified by Brick Patrolman Justin Halley from police encounters, and the detectives followed up with local businesses in an attempt to locate him, Petrola said.

A $50,000 warrant was initially issued on Aug. 20 for Oliveri in connection with the burglary at Yo Fresh Yogurt, and on Monday, Oliveri was apprehended in Lacey, he said. OIiveri is suspected of burglarizing a business there as well, Petrola said.

In Brick, Oliveri also is suspected of burglarizing Via Vineto Italian Restaurant, Mr. Alan’s Original Florist, ILL Boccone Italian Restaurant and Terriganis Bagels, Petrola said. Charges are pending in those burglaries, he said.

Oliveri is being held at the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $50,000 bail, no 10 percent.

(Photo of Alfred John Oliveri via Ocean County Corrections Department)