Toms River Trespass Arrest Underscores Real Estate Ban, Officials Say

TOMS RIVER, NJ -- Toms River officials say the arrest of a Lakewood man Wednesday on criminal trespass charges after he was found in a North Dover home underscores the need for the real estate soliciting cease-and-desist ordinance passed by the Township Council on Tuesday night.

Israel Feldbrand, 36, of Twin Oaks Drive in Lakewood, was arrested Wednesday evening after he emerged from a home on Crystal Mile Court, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said. The home is in one of the zones where real estate soliciting has been banned for five years under the ordinance.

Feldbrand told police first that an associate said he owned the home and that Feldbrand could view it as a potential property to purchase, Stocco said. Feldbrand later told police that the associate may work for a real estate company and that the home may be in foreclosure, Stocco said.

Stocco said police were called to the home at 5 p.m. for a report of a burglary in progress after a lone man was seen entering the home through a window. Officers watching through the open window saw the man emerge from the basement, and that’s when Feldbrand was arrested, he said.

The investigating officers could not verify the legitimacy of Feldbrand’s claims, Stocco said.

“The arrest of Mr. Feldbrand is further proof of the type of conduct taking place in Toms River by unscrupulous individuals and realtors,“ Mayor Thomas H. Kelaher said. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated and is added justification for the cease and desist ordinance unanimously approved by the Township Council on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.”

“This is the kind of behavior our residents have repeatedly complained about which is the reason the cease and desist ordinance was enacted,” Council President Brian Kubiel said. “Residents should remain vigilant about the safety and security of their residences and report any suspicious activity to the police.”

Feldbrand was charged with one count of criminal trespass and released pending a future court date, Stocco said.

Officer Frank Moschella was the arresting officer and Detective James Carey has been assigned the follow-up investigation.