Shoplifting Tools, Meth Recovered During Arrest By Brick PD

At about 11 p.m. on Thursday, Brick police were conducting surveillance at 715 Route 70 when they observed a man sleeping inside a vehicle in the parking lot, a police department spokeswoman said.

Police identified the man as Christian Vatovec of Manalapan.

Detectives allegedly found a large quantity of methamphetamine inside the vehicle, Patrol Officer Victoria Finelli said;

Detectives also found Xanax, Suboxone and a hypodermic syringe, she said.

Vatovec also was found to be in possession of several shoplifting tools including devices used to remove security tags on merchandise, Finelli said.

A large amount of electronics including laptops, drones, electric scooters and cell phones were found inside the vehicle, which are believed to be stolen from various department stores, the spokeswoman said.

Detectives are continuing to investigate the origin of the merchandise, she said.

Vatovec was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute, possession of paraphernalia for a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a syringe containing a controlled dangerous substance, possession of shoplifting tools, possession of Xanax and possession of Suboxone, according to Finelli.

Vatovec was being held at the Ocean County Jail.

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