[The following is an update from the LPD on the story we reported here earlier] Earlier this morning, Officer Matthew McKee was dispatched to the area of Commonwealth Drive to investigate the report of a burglary to a vehicle.
Officers Alex Pedre and Michael Ruiz responded as back up and observed a male fitting the description of the burglar walking in the area.
Upon seeing the Officers, the suspect, 24 yr old Rahmel Jones of Brick, NJ fled on foot. Officers Pedre and Ruiz gave chase and located him in the rear yard of a Liberty Drive home. The Officers ordered Jones to the ground but he ignored their orders. Officers Pedre and Ruiz were able to place him in custody with the use of compliance holds and OC Spray. During the struggle Officer Pedre was bitten by Jones and Officer Ruiz injured his knee. Both were treated and released back to duty.
Further investigation by Det. LeRoy Marshall revealed that Jones had been involved in several burglaries to local motor vehicles. Proceeds of those burglaries resulted in the theft and use of the victims credit cards at local shopping malls and grocery stores.
Rahmel Jones was charged with Agg Assault on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest, Burglary, Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. Bail was set at $75,000 without a 10% option.
Jones was also found to have an outstanding warrant from Howell Township for charges stemming from the use of a stolen credit card in a previous case in Lakewood in which a car was burglarized and a credit card was stolen and used back in June. Bail for the Howell Township warrant was an additional $8,500.
We would like to urge residents to please ensure that their vehicle(s) is locked and valuables are always safeguarded. [TLS]
Great Story. Reads like a True Crime book, possibly because it was. I dont agree, however, w/ the locking the doors part. If a thief wants to get into ur car, for whatever reason, if the door is open, he’ll open the door & go in; if its locked, he’ll break the window & then go in. Id rather not have the extra expense of a broken window.