Police in Monmouth, Ocean counties investigate string of smash-and-grab burglaries

Police departments in Brick, Neptune City, Brielle and Middletown are all investigating similar crimes over the last two or three weeks - targeting small, local, businesses.

Matt Trapani and Jim Murdoch

Apr 2, 2024, 9:41 PM

Updated 287 days ago

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Police are trying to figure out if there is a connection between several smash-and-grab burglaries at pizza shops and grocery stores in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
News 12 New Jersey has obtained exclusive video showing a person attempting to use a crowbar to get inside Jay’s Food Mart in Brick Township on March 23. Attempts to get inside the business failed, but the suspect was able to break into Cousin’s Pizza next door and got away with several hundred dollars.
“That doesn't feel good because you're working hard, you are trying to go home and next thing you know you get a phone call in the middle of the night saying that something like this happened,” says Prashant Contractor, of Jay’s Food Mart. “That's a phone call you really don't want to hear in the middle of the night.”
Police departments in Brick, Neptune City, Brielle and Middletown are all investigating similar crimes over the last two or three weeks - targeting small, local, businesses. Last week Brielle made an arrest, after two businesses were hit. The other departments now checking into the possibility they're all connected.
Brielle police say Todd Lansing, 46, was arrested late last week after a task force identified him as a suspect. He is still locked up at the Monmouth County Jail.
More chargers in other towns could soon follow.