Some vigilant Lakewood employees caught a car burglar in the act yesterday and had him arrested, TLS has learned. At approximately Noon on Thursday, employees at 500 River Avenue noticed the pictured man walking around suspiciously in the

parking lot and trying to make entry to several vehicles, one of the employees told TLS.

“We thought that he was elder and may have been lost,” one of the employees said. “Two employees went down to assist him, when they saw him removing a GPS from a car. It was at that point that they realized he was up to no good.”

Lakewood Police were called immediately and the employees followed him at a safe distance, the employee told TLS.

“We requested he return the GPS but he ignored us. He then realized he was busted so he replied, “If I give you the GPS you’ll leave me alone? We told him unfortunately not, the police are en route. We heard sirens and asked him “you hear the sirens?” “They’re coming for you.”

“Police arrived moments later and found him in possession of many stolen items including an iPad and more. He was arrested on the spot without incident.”

Detective Sergeant Greg Staffordsmith tells TLS that the suspect, Nelson Sanabria-Flores, of Lakewood, was arrested  and charged with Burglary to a Motor Vehicle, Theft and Receiving Stolen Property. Bail was set in the amount of $12,500 without a 10% option. He was subsequently transported to Ocean County Jail.

[TLS. Thank you TG & ML]