Homeowner Wakes Up To Burglar Standing Over Her Bed In Toms River: PD

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River homeowner woke up to find a burglar standing by her bed during one of two break-ins that happened Tuesday morning, police said.

The first burglary at a Hickory Street home happened shortly before 6 a.m., said Jillian Messina, media relations specialist for the Toms River Police Department.

Three men wearing hoodies and face masks broke into the house through an unlocked first-floor bathroom window and then rummaged through several kitchen drawers, taking four sets of keys, she said. They left through the back door and took the homeowners' 2022 BMW M8, she said.

The homeowners were not home at the time but were alerted by their home surveillance system, Messina said.

About an hour later, police were called to a Tall Ships Court home for a burglary in progress, Messina said.

The homeowners told police three men broke into the house through an unlocked first-floor window and ransacked the first floor while the homeowners were sleeping upstairs, she said.

The woman woke up to someone in dark clothing and wearing a mask, standing over the bed, and she startled the suspects, who ran out of the home, Messina said.

The homeowners were not injured, she said.

Toms River Police evidence technicians and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit responded. The burglaries are being investigated by Toms River Detective Joseph Mastronardy with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department. Anyone with information can email jmastronardy@trpolice.org.

"In both incidents, the suspects entered the home through an unlocked first-floor window," Messina said. "We are reminding the public to lock your doors and windows, and never leave your key fobs in your vehicles."

Toms River police said residents and business owners who have a video surveillance system can assist authorities by participating in the Toms River Police Department’s Operation Watch Dog program. Information about the program is on the police department's website.

"Stay alert, stay vigilant, and always lock your doors," police said.