Man Charged In Attempted Break-In At Motel In Point Pleasant Beach

POINT PLEASANT BEACH, NJ — A Point Pleasant Beach man was arrested after he tried to force his way into a room at the Amethyst Beach Motel while armed with a knife, police said.

Evan M. Menconi, 37, was charged with burglary, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a weapon for unlawful purposes in the Dec. 15 incident, Police Chief Robert J. Kowalewski said.

Police were called to the motel for a report of a man trying to force his way into a room, Kowalewski said. The victim told police the man, later identified as Menconi, was stopped from getting in by the chain on the room's door, but tried to use a knife he was carrying to try to cut the chain, Kowalewski said.

When he couldn't cut the chain, Menconi left, the chief said.

The victim described him as wearing a face covering and a dark sweatshirt, and patrol officers and detectives were able to identify him, Kowalewski said.

Menconi turned himself in and was taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he continues to be held, according to jail records. Those records show he is being held on three burglary charges and a theft charge, in addition to the weapons charges.