The Manalapan Police Department reported the following incidents occurred in the township:
• On March 4, a 75-year-old Manalapan reported an incident of theft. The woman told police she received a phone call from an unknown individual who told her that her grandson had been involved in a motor vehicle crash and was in jail. The caller advised the woman that in order to have her grandson released from jail, she would have to transfer $8,500 to a provided account number. The woman complied with the request, but later realized she had been the victim of a theft. Upon further investigation lasting about two months, a suspect was identified and criminal complaints were signed. Police said the case is pending the apprehension of the suspect.
• On April 24, an 81-year-old Manalapan resident reported an incident of theft by
deception. The resident told police that in January 2018, she was contacted by
telephone by an individual claiming to be an employee of a credit card company.
The woman was instructed to purchase $12,000 in gift cards as a fee for services and to provide the gift card numbers to the caller. The woman complied with the request for the gift card numbers only to discover a short time later it had been a scam.
• On April 24 at 10:31 a.m., patrols responded to a business on Route 33, Manalapan, in reference to a report of a burglary and theft. An employee of the business told the officers that sometime between April 20 and April 24, an unknown individual entered a locked concession area and removed food valued at approximately $200.
• On April 25 at 8:30 p.m, a 55-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y., resident, reported an incident of theft. The individual told police that on April 14 during the daytime hours, an unknown individual entered an unlocked vehicle while it was parked on Wilson Avenue, Manalapan. A wallet with contents valued at $260 was reported stolen.
• On April 25 at 4:47 p.m., a 61-year-old Brick Township resident reported an incident of vandalism. The individual told police that sometime between March 25 and April 25, an unknown individual damaged his backhoe while it was parked at a business on Woodward
Road, Manalapan. The backhoe sustained two broken windows, resulting in damages estimated at $1,000.
• On April 26 at 11:49 a.m., a 43-year-old Manalapan resident from Bristol Road reported an incident of theft from a motor vehicle. The resident told police that sometime between April 24 and April 26, an unknown individual entered his unlocked vehicle and removed a watch and wireless headphones. The reported value of the loss was $19,150.
• On April 27 at 5:48 p.m., a 53-year-old Manalapan resident reported an incident of fraud. The resident told police that in June 2018, an unknown individual used the victim’s personal information and opened a credit card account. The unknown individual then made $10,020 in charges using the fraudulently obtained credit card.
• On April 30 at 1:59 p.m., a 52-year-old Manalapan resident reported an incident of fraud. The resident told police that on April 27, an unknown individual fraudulently used her credit card to complete purchases in stores in Ohio totaling approximately $3,500.
• On May 1 at 5:39 p.m., patrols responded to a residence on Deer Way to investigate a report of a theft. Upon arrival, a 58-year-old Manalapan resident told the officers that sometime between 1-5 p.m., an unknown individual removed an iPod from the residence. The iPod is valued at approximately $250.
• On May 3 at 5:34 p.m., patrols responded to the area of Fawn Run in reference to a report of a suspicious person. The officers located a 25-year-old woman from Parlin. An investigation determined the woman had provided a false name to the officers and was in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, hypodermic syringes, drug paraphernalia and prescription legend drugs. The woman was charged with those offenses, processed and released.
• On May 4 at 12:38 a.m., patrols responded to a business on Route 33 to investigate a report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers met with a 28-year-old Hightstown resident who told the officers that shortly before their arrival, an unknown individual had assaulted him by striking him in the face with a closed fist.
• On May 5 at 2:43 p.m., a 39-year-old Suitland, Md., resident reported an incident of criminal mischief. The woman told police that sometime between 7:30-9:30 a.m., an unknown individual scratched her vehicle while it was parked at a business on Woodward Road. Damage to the vehicle was estimated at $1,000.
