HOWELL – “We are coming for you. Turn yourselves in before we find you.” That is the message that township police are expressing to those responsible for a recent brazen theft at a Howell business.
Robbers entered Barg’s Lawn and Garden at 876 Route 33 around 2:30 a.m. on March 2.
A tan/silver colored, older model, Ford Expedition had pulled up to the business and the driver backed the vehicle onto the apron of the store.
A heavy-set male reported by police as the driver of the vehicle, was wearing a white/gray Champion hooded sweatshirt and face mask when he exited the vehicle with a sledge hammer tilted the exterior camera downward.
Footage from an interior video camera showed a male who used the sledge hammer to break the glass at the front door. Three males entered the store and they essentially cleaned out the showroom of Stihl chainsaws, pole saws and Echo and Stihl concrete/demolition saws.
The three suspects then exited the business and fled eastbound on Route 33. One of the three men was wearing blue jeans and a black “I 💙CRAZY” sweatshirt while a second male appears to be wearing gray sweat pants and a black jacket. The third male appears to be wearing a light gray “Champion” hooded sweatshirt. Each of them wore face masks and gloves.
It is believed that the vehicle used in the robbery has a trailer hitch / ball and distinctive white writing on all four tires. The silver/gray Ford Expedition is believed to be operated by a heavy-set Hispanic male.
Police Chief Andrew Kudrick said, “these three thieves made another bad choice in their lives when they decided to commit this crime. Maybe they were inspired by the lawlessness seen in cities across this country over the past year. However, this is Howell. We don’t tolerate that behavior.”
“Barg’s is a long-time family-owned business. We treat our residents and businesses as if they are family and together, we will bring those who victimize others to justice. This includes those who are complicit buying the stolen items,” Chief Kudrick added.
Kudrick has requested the public’s help with this ongoing investigation. Should anyone see this vehicle the Howell Police Department asks that you call 9-1-1, in box the police department on Facebook messenger, use our anonymous tip line at p3tips.com or call the communications center at 732-938-4111.
