Man Arrested In Early Morning Home Burglaries In Point Pleasant

POINT PLEASANT, NJ — An Ocean County man was arrested in connection with a string of burglaries early Monday in Point Pleasant, police said.

John P. Cottrell, 46, of Jackson, has been charged with multiple counts of burglary and theft in the break-ins in the Bay Head Shores section of the borough, Point Pleasant Capt. Christopher Leonhardt said.

Police received several reports of burglaries early Monday, with one homeowner reporting that several firearms had been stolen from their home, Leonhardt said.

Investigators determined the burglaries were the work of one person, and officers canvassing the area subsequently found a person, later identified as Cottrell, who matched the description of the suspect, he said.

Authorities found he was in possession of evidence that directly linked him to the burglaries, Leonhardt said.

The stolen firearms were recovered later and returned to the owner, he said.

Cottrell was being held at the Ocean County Jail in Toms River.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation is urged to contact Point Pleasant Detective Joseph Hynes at 732-892-0060.

There are no threats to the safety of the public, police said.