Manalapan Resident Confronts Man Stealing Items Inside Home, Cops Say

A Manalapan resident came home last week and found a man inside the house, police said.

Police arrested that Freehold man, who they say stole jewelry, coins and cash, valued at a total of about $634.

On Aug. 7, Kristijan Zrno, of Freehold, entered the Iron Ore Road home through an unlocked door, according to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain.

Zrno fled when the resident returned and confronted him inside the house, police said.

But he did not get far, authorities said.

Patrol officers found him in the area around 4:50 p.m., took him into custody and charged him with burglary, criminal trespass and theft, the news release said.

He was sent to the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township, with bail set at $41,500.

The investigation was handled by Officers Matthew Meyler and Bryan Belardo, with help from Sgt. Maggie Freeman, and Officers Bart Mattaliano and Jared Coupland.