Knife-Wielding Man Charged In Manchester Car Burglary: Police

MANCHESTER, NJ — A Manchester Township man is facing multiple charges in connection with an attempted car burglary that turned into a threat against a man who disrupted him, police said Sunday.

Shane W. Bowie, 44, of Sterling Street in the Leisure Village West section, was arrested Nov. 9, Manchester Capt. Todd Malland said.

Malland said police were called to the Manchester Plaza on Route 70 about 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 by a man who reported seeing a while male trying to break into cars in the Lowe's parking lot. The caller told police he had seen the man trying to break out the windows of the cars, but failing to do so. The man, however, was able to get into an unlocked vehicle and as the man was rifling through its glove box, the caller had confronted the suspect.

The suspect, now identified as Bowie, got out of the vehicle after he was confronted by the caller and pulled out a knife and pointed it at the caller, Malland said. The caller told police he was able to get away and was not hurt, Malland said.

He also provided a description of the suspect's vehicle, a tan minivan with Florida license plates, but only a partial plate number, Malland said.

On Nov. 8, the caller was in the Manchester Plaza again and saw Bowie and his minivan, and this time was able to get the full license plate of the vehicle before the suspect left the parking lot, Malland said.

Patrolman Joseph Reilly, who took the initial report, returned to the shopping center and met with the caller and then, with an updated physical description and full license plate number, was able to positively identify the suspect as Bowie, Malland said.

Reilly, along with Detective Robert Maccaquano went to Bowie's home on Nov. 9, and saw the vehicle the caller described out front and confirmed the license plate, Malland said.

"The suspect, who met the officers at the front door, still had the knife in his possession," Malland said. Bowie was taken to Manchester Police Headquarters without incident for further investigation.

Bowie was Upon charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, terroristic threats, simple assault, burglary and criminal attempt-theft, Malland said. Bowie is being held at the Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing, he said.

Residents are reminded that suspicious activity can be reported to the Manchester Police anonymously at 732-657-6111 or online via the Department’s website, www.manchesterpolicenj.com, by clicking the “Tip Line” line.

Shane William Bowie, photo via Ocean County Corrections Department website