Wig-Wearing Woman Tried To Cash Stolen Checks In Ocean, Monmouth

TOMS RIVER, NJ — First she was trying to cash stolen checks in South Jersey. Now Toms River police say she's tried to cash them in Monmouth County — while wearing a wig and driving a different car — and they're still hoping someone can tell them her identity.

The woman is being sought in connection with a group of car burglaries that happened at Riverwood Park on Jan. 7, where windows were smashed and purses left in view were stolen. The woman police are seeking tried to cash the stolen checks in Hammonton, Mays Landing and Little Egg Harbor, Toms River Police Department spokesman Ralph Stocco said.

Since releasing information and the woman's photo on Tuesday, Stocco said the department has received numerous tips. Toms River also was notified by Manasquan Bank in Howell that the woman tried to cash stolen checks at two of its branches. She was wearing a blond wig in those instances and driving a different car, he said.

"We also have information that she recently committed the same crimes at banks in Wall Township," Stocco said.

The woman "is believed to be an accomplice of a well-organized group that travels the state committing crimes," Stocco said. The group's primary target is breaking into vehicles in public parking lots to remove purses that are left in view.

"They then use accomplices to make purchases with stolen credit cards as well as to commit bank fraud," Stocco said.

The stolen checks were taken after thieves smashed windows of several cars at Riverwood Park in early January while parents were watching their kids at the sports complex.

Though some media outlets have tied this to the Felony Lane Gang, a national crime group that commits similar crimes across the country, Stocco said it is a possibility Toms River police are considering but theyt have not confirmed yet that they are connected.

Stocco said anyone with information is urged to call Detective Mark Bajada at 732-349-0150 extension 1216 or email him at mbajada@trpolice.org.

Stocco said police are urging the public to take precautions to avoid being victimized.

Keep purses and valuables with you and do not leave them in your vehicle in plain sight. If you must leave items in your vehicle, lock them in your trunk. Do not keep checkbooks or password to ATM cards in your purse, wallet, or car, he said.

Photos provided by Toms River Police Department from surveillance show the woman show her trying to cash stolen checks at a Monmouth County bank while wearing a different wig. The previous photo is from one of the South Jersey incidents.