Call From Concerned Citizen Leads to Arrest

A phone call from a concerned Stafford resident has led to the arrest of a man for theft, police said.

Since Sandy, many homes in the Beach Haven West area and other areas in the township have been targets of burglaries, many of which are for copper plumbing and electrical wire, according to a press release from Lt. Thomas Dellane.

A meeting between area police and the Beach Haven West Civic Association led to the formation of neighborhood watch program that resulted in the March 26 arrest.

Police said a Millcreek Road neighbor called to report an unauthorized person at 1294 Millcreek Road. The person, later identified as Richard Brown of Howell told police he had permission to be on the property and was working for a local contractor.

After an investigation, Brown was arrested and charged with burglary, theft and criminal mischief after police found copper pipes in the rear of his vehicle, and he was taken to Ocean County jail.

In a press release, Dellane wrote: "Stafford Police would like to thank the residents of Beach Haven West for their increased attention for suspicious activity in their neighborhoods and encourage all residents to continue to report suspicious activity to 609-597-8581."