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Todd Lansing, 46, of Brick Township, was charged with two counts each of third-degree burglary, third-degree theft, fourth-degree criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. The Brielle Police Department announced his charges in a news release on Thursday, Mar. 28.
Brielle police received a report of a "smash-and-grab" burglary at a business on Route 70 at around 5:27 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 23. Police then received a burglar alarm activation at a business on Higgins Avenue at around 3:48 a.m. on Sunday, Mar. 24 and officers found evidence of another "smash-and-grab."
After the burglaries, Brielle police learned about similar "smash-and-grab" incidents in nearby communities and throughout New Jersey. They formed "an ad hoc burglary task force" in response.
Investigators shared data from Brielle's automatic license plate reader system with the task force. That information helped identify Lansing as the suspect and a vehicle he was believed to have used, police said.
Police stopped the suspected vehicle at around 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 28. Lansing was arrested and evidence was seized from the vehicle.
Police from Point Pleasant, Brick, Wall, Neptune City, Keyport, Monmouth Beach, and Middletown helped Brielle investigators in the case.
"Their cooperation, professionalism, and dedication allowed us to collectively solve and prevent countless burglary cases," said Brielle police Chief Gary Olsen. "When we work together like this, it sends a loud and clear message to our hardworking business owners that we take these cases very seriously and that we care."
Lansing was held at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility.
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