STAFFORD – Two people were arrested and charged for stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of power tools and equipment from a local landscaping company, police said.
A landscaping company that rents a yard on East Bay Avenue reported to police on November 16 that someone had burglarized a shed and trailer and stole several cordless power tools and equipment.
According to security video, the suspects were seen on the property along with their white Jeep Patriot. The suspects then returned the following day at 9 a.m.
Authorities were notified and 38-year-old Matthew Clinton and 34-year-old Stephanie M. Johansen, both who are reportedly living out of their vehicle, were placed under arrest.
The duo was towing a trailer with a stolen license plate from a boat trailer located at a marina in Lacey Township, police said. Detectives later found some of the stolen items at a location in Little Egg Harbor and returned them to the victim.
Clinton and Johansen were transported to police headquarters to be processed. Clinton was charged with Burglary, Theft, and Possession of Stolen Property on a criminal complaint warrant and was transported to Ocean County Jail pending a court appearance scheduled by the Ocean County Superior Court.
Johansen was charged with Possession of Stolen Property on a criminal complaint summons and was released pending a court appearance scheduled by Stafford Township Municipal Court.
Detective Jacob Conner was the investigating detective with the assistance of Patrolman Gerardo Jorge and Patrolman Nicholas Racanelli.
All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
