Bayville man found with a loot of stolen goods in Lanoka Harbor

An alert homeowner in Lanoka Harbor confronted a potential burglar on Thursday afternoon before alerting Lacey Police who conducted an investigation and found the suspect who was tied to burglaries in the area.

Lacey Police responded to a residence on Cedar Drive for a report of an unknown male subject entering a residence.

Officers responded to the scene and learned that the unknown male had entered the residence through an unlocked front door.

After entering the home, he was confronted by the resident of the home and then promptly left the house.

Lacey Detectives then responded to assist and during their investigation, a detailed description of the suspect was quickly ascertained from witnesses and video surveillance.

The investigation revealed the male had been riding a bicycle, while wearing a large backpack, in the area of Cedar Drive in Lanoka Harbor.

He was seen riding his bike onto several residential properties, where detectives say he would check areas of the properties for items of value, enter fenced in areas, as well as knock on doors to check and see if residents were home.

As the investigation continued, it was determined that several burglaries and thefts had occurred in the area.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department CSI responded and assisted in the investigation.

Through their search of the area the suspect was located by Lacey Police Officers at the New Jersey Transit bus stop on Route 9 in Lanoka Harbor.

The suspect, Jeffrey C. Stiles Jr, 30, of Serpentine Drive, Bayville was found to be in possession of stolen property and placed under arrest.

He is charged  on a criminal warrant with 3 counts of Burglary, 2 counts of Theft, 1 count of Criminal Attempt to commit Theft, 1 count of Criminal Trespass, and 1 count of Obstructing the Administration of the Law.

Stiles Jr. was lodged in the Ocean County Jail.

The investigation is ongoing and police say any additional charges may be forthcoming.

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