Jersey Shore Car Burglars Stole Clothes, Returned Them To T.J. Maxx For Cash: Police

A Little Egg Harbor man and woman were accused of breaking into vehicles in Lacey Township and returning stolen clothes to a department store for cash, authorities said.

Edward McGrath, 38, Little Egg Harbor, NJ.
Photo Credit: *Ocean County Jail*

Chris Spiker

11/20/2024 5:03 p.m.

Edward McGrath, 38, and Kathleen Papa, 47, were arrested on Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Lacey Township Police Department said in a Facebook post.

Officers received a call from a witness who saw a man trying to break into cars parked outside Encore Dental of Lacey at around 12:53 p.m. The suspect got into a vehicle and left the area.

Police stopped the vehicle near PNC Bank on Lacey Road and confirmed McGrath was the suspect. Surveillance video showed that he was also responsible for car burglaries at the McDonald’s on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor.

Investigators said McGrath stole a bag of clothes from T.J. Maxx inside one car parked at McDonald's. Papa then returned that bag to the T.J. Maxx at the Lacey Mall to pocket the return money.

Papa and McGrath were both charged with criminal attempt, receiving stolen property, and theft. McGrath was also charged with several burglary counts and possession of drug paraphernalia.

McGrath was held in the Ocean County Jail. Papa was released on a summons and police impounded her vehicle.

Anyone with information about the thefts should call Lacey police at 609-693-6636, ext. 2608.

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