Manalapan Police Blotter

Manalapan police are searching for the man who exposed himself to a worker in the Target store, and in a separate case, they are looking for the robber who tried to steal a wallet from a Marshall’s worker in the store parking lot.

Police are also searching for the thief who stole copper wiring from cell towers around town.

Those cases were among those recently investigated by local police.

According to a news release from Deputy Chief Michael Fountain:

May 9

At 11:52 p.m. a 57-year-old Manalapan woman entered an unlocked Saddlebrook Drive home, and assaulted the homeowner, a 41-year-old woman. The woman took a computer case containing checks and $500 in cash, then left in a white BMW. The initial incident was handled by Officer Jason Vigneault. This investigation is ongoing, and criminal complaints are forthcoming.

May 8

Around 6 p.m., a 50-year-old Manalapan man arrived at police headquarters to report a theft by deception as well as receiving checks with insufficient funds in the account. The complainant was given $3,500, split into two separate checks as a refund for a restoration job that was not done on a vehicle. He received the checks from a Staten Island mechanic. The complainant deposited the checks but they both bounced due to insufficient funds. The complainant also received his vehicle back from the defendant and noticed vehicle parts missing from his engine. The complainant was advised on how to sign complaints with the courts. The incident was handled by Officer Matt Porricelli.

Around 12:30 p.m. Patrolman Brian Schank responded to 17 Sweetmans Lane in Manalapan Township for a report of a theft of batteries and copper wiring. The complainant, an employee of Ericsson Inc., reported that someone stole approximately $3,300 worth of batteries and copper wiring from the cell tower. The theft occurred sometime between February and May of this year. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department. Officer Brian Schank handled the report.

Around 11 a.m., patrols responded to multiple 911 calls of a man wearing a mask and olive jumpsuit walking on Tennent Road and Main Street. When patrols arrived, they found Terell Gray, 30, of Manalapan, walking a dog. He was wearing a mask and olive jumpsuit and was walking in and out of traffic. Patrols made contact with Gray and he returned to his home. A short time later, 911 dispatch again received several calls about Gray. Gray was found to be causing a nuisance, alarm and inhibiting traffic. He was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. He was issued a summons and released. Officer Kevin McIntosh made the arrest.

May 7

Between 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., a would-be robber approached a juvenile Marshall’s worker while he was collecting shopping carts in the parking lot. The would-be thief asked for the victim’s wallet while holding what appeared to be a knife. The boy ran to the store and told his manager. The would-be robber was described as a chubby Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall. He wore black clothing, including a black hooded sweatshirt with the hood up. He left the area in an older model black Honda Civic with tinted windows and black rims. The boy told police that appeared as if the vehicle did not have a license plate. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Manalapan Police Department. This incident was handled by Officer Jason Vigneault.

Around 3:30p.m., a man exposed himself to a female cashier at the Target department store in Manalapan Township. The man was white, between 50­ and 60-years-old, and was last seen driving a brown Honda CRV with a New Jersey license plate. Anyone with information abpit this incident is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department at 732­-446-­4300. Officer Matt Porricelli handled the report.

Around 11:45 a.m. Patrolman Brian Schank responded to 73 Wilson Ave. for a report of a theft of batteries and copper wiring. The complainant, an employee of Ericsson Inc., reported that someone stole approximately $2,700 worth of batteries and copper wiring from the cell tower. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department. Officer Brian Schank handled the report.

Around 8:30 a.m. Patrolman John Lightbody responded to Franklin Lane for a report of a theft of copper wiring. The complainant, an employee of Ericsson Inc., reported that someone stole approximately $350 worth of copper wiring from the cell tower. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Manalapan Township Police Department. Officer John Lightbody handled the report.

May 6

At 6:33 p.m., Officer Jared Coupland responded to Bed Bath & Beyond in reference to a theft report. A man removed three items from the store, and placed them into the trunk of a black Lincoln Town car. The thief was a white man, in his late 50s. He was about 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 170 pounds, with an average build. The car had New York license plates, and was last seen heading north on Route 9. The value of the items removed is unknown at this time. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Officer Jared Coupland.

At 1:24 p.m., a representative of Wegman’s Loss Prevention, on Route 9 south, came into headquarters to file a report and sign complaints for a bad check. The check was written by a woman from the Morganville section of Marlboro on Feb. 25 for $312.90. The case is pending court. It was handled by Officer Edward Hedden.

May 5

Around 5 p.m., a 42-year-old Monroe woman responded to headquarters to report a theft. She told police that about a year ago, an auto center on Route 33 in Manalapan started work on her vehicle. She paid $1,114.72 for the work, but it was never completed. Workers also caused $400 in damage to her vehicle, and her EZpass transponder was missing. Officer Bart Mattaliano handled the report.

May 4

At 8:26 a.m., a 47-year-old Manalapan man reported that a truck was stolen from a property on Wilson Avenue between 5 p.m. on May 1 and 8:15 a.m. on May 4. The truck is 2006 white, Kenworth T30 roll­off truck. A Garmin Navigation Unit and a bag of assorted hand tools were also taken. The total value of the property was reported to be $40,500. The investigation was handled by Patrolman Edward Hedden.

At 4:36p.m., a 26-­year­-old Trenton man responded to the police station to report a theft of cash from his wallet. He had an appointment with a healthcare provider on Route 9, and during his procedure was asked to empty his pockets and leave his belongings on a desk. When he returned home later he realized $200 had been removed form his wallet. Officer Anthony Cascella handled the incident.

At 9:37 a.m., police responded to the Wegman’s Food Store in reference to a theft of a cellular telephone. Police determined that on May 3, an employee placed her cellular telephone on the customer service counter and walked away. Shortly thereafter a customer, Wai “Tracy” Leong-­Goon, 54, of Freehold, approached the counter, took the victim’s cellular telephone, and left the scene, police said. Leong-­Goon was later arrested on a theft charge. She was processed and released after receiving a summons. This case was handled by Officer Reginald Grant.