Trio Indicted on Burglary, Gun Charges

A trio of local residents face charges accusing them of stealing handguns from a Stafford home.

An Ocean County grand jury last week indicted Malissa M. Shirley-Chilson of Manahawkin, Melissa A. Haugh of Little Egg Harbor and Steven A. Cruthers of Manahawkin on charges including two counts of burglary, two counts of theft and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Authorities said the trio broke into the same home on Main Street on two occasions, Nov. 28 and 29. During the burglaries, all three stole jewelry worth more than $500 as well as Colt handguns, the indictment states.

Shirley-Chilson and Cruthers are both being held on $75,000 bail, no 10 percent option. Haugh made $75,000 bail Dec. 29.

Grand juries also indicted:

• Justin J. Oswald of Little Egg Harbor on a terroristic threat charge.

Oswald was arrested April 6 in Stafford and accused of threatening to kill a resident. He is free on $1,500 bail.

• Richard W. Thomas of Barnegat on an attempted theft by deception charge.

Thomas was arrested April 15 in Toms River and accused of attempting to steal money from Home Depot by pretending he had already purchased items he tried to return, the indictment said. He was released on a summons.