TOMS RIVER – Township police are searching for three brazen burglars who broke into two homes in North Dover. They were seen on an in-home survillance video.
Toms River Township Police Spokesperson Jillian Messina confirmed the first incident happened on October 18 at a Hickory Street home in the township.
At approximately 5:52 AM three males, wearing hoodies and face masks, entered the residence through an unlocked first floor bathroom window and rummaged through several kitchen drawers, removing four sets of keys, before they left the residence via the back door.
The suspects left with the homeowner’s 2022 BMW M8. The homeowners were not home at the time of the burglary.
Later the same morning, at approximately 6:57 AM, patrol units were dispatched to Tall Ship Court for a burglary in progress. Responding officers were advised that three males entered the home through an unlocked first floor window and ransacked the first floor while the homeowners were sleeping upstairs.
The woman woke to someone in dark clothing, wearing a mask, standing over the bed. She startled the suspects who then fled the home. The homeowners were not injured.
The scenes were processed by Toms River Police evidence technicians and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI Unit. They remain under investigation 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. We are reminding the public to lock your doors and windows, and never leave your key FOB’s in your vehicles.
If you have a home or business video surveillance system, you can assist law enforcement in investigations in your neighborhood. To learn more about the Toms River Police Department’s Operation Watch Dog program, visit us at https://www.trpolice.org/operation-watchdog/. Stay alert, stay vigilant, and always lock your doors.
