Resident Surprises Armed Intruder While Car Warmed Up In Manchester, Police Say

MANCHESTER, NJ -- Police are warning Manchester residents to not leave cars running unattended to warm up in the wake of an attempted armed robbery this week.

Manchester Township officers responded to a call to an Arcadia Drive home at 9:15 a.m. Friday and found the victim had opened the garage door of his home and started his vehicle to warm it up, Capt. Todd Malland said. While the vehicle was warming, the victim went back into the house; when he went back to the garage several minutes later, he was confronted by an unknown white male armed with a kitchen knife, Malland said.

The man fled after a brief confrontation, he said. There were no reported injuries.

The assailant was described as a white male in his late 20s to mid-30s, 5-foot-10 to 6 feet tall with a thin build, Malland said. The man was reported to be unshaven and wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt at the time of the incident, which was said to be covering the top part of his face, he said. The suspect also reportedly was wearing a turtleneck that was pulled over the bottom portion of his face, Malland said.

Assisting in the case where members of the Manchester Township Police Patrol and Investigations Bureaus as well as K-9 handler Steve Wendruff and his partner Lynk. Detective Craig Beaulieu is investigating, Malland said.

Manchester police urge residents to not leave running vehicles unattended as thousands of vehicles are stolen each year in this country during the cold season. Residents also are reminded to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their vehicles and homes secure. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately by dialing 9-1-1 or calling Manchester Police directly at 732-657-6111.