Five Charged In Burglary Ring That Targeted 9 Leisure Village West Homes

(Photos from Ocean County Jail Inmate records; no photo available of Mary J. Grasberger)

Five people have been arrested and charged in a string of burglaries in Leisure Village West since December that netted jewelry, televisions and silverware, among other items, Manchester police announced Friday night.

Toms River residents Lionel Jones, 51; Mary J. Grasberger, 46; Stephanie L. Milano, 24, and Stephan Gomez, 26, as well as Gianna H. Florio, 22, of Beachwood, are all charged in connection with the burglaries of nine homes that occurred from December through February, Manchester Capt. Lisa Parker said.

The suspects were identified through an investigation that included surveillance operations, Parker said.

While Grasberger, Milano and Gomez were already in police custody, Jones and Florio were apprehended by Patrolmen Kyle Rickvalsky and Michael Guarino on Thursday following the report of a suspicious person report in the backyard of a Leisure Village West home, she said.

The charges each face:

• Jones was charged with burglary and theft and is being held in the Ocean County Jail, Toms River, in lieu of $30,000 bail, no 10 percent option. In addition to his charges for the burglaries, further investigation revealed Jones was wanted on a $500 warrant.
• Milano was charged with burglary and theft and is being held in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail, no 10 percent option.
• Gomez was charged with burglary and theft and is being held in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $25,000 bail, no 10 percent option.
• Florio was charged with drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of a weapon. She is in the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail, no 10 percent option.
• Grasberger was charged with receiving stolen property and released on her own recognizance.

Assisting with the investigation were the Manchester Township Police Patrol Bureau, Ocean County Sheriff Crime Scene Investigation and K-9 units, and the Toms River Police Department, Parker said.

Residents are reminded that keeping their property properly illuminated at night can help to deter would-be burglars. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity in their neighborhood should contact the Manchester Township Police at 732-657-6111 or use the “Tip Line” at www.ManchesterPoliceNJ.com.

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