Plumsted man arrested on 16 counts of burglary

Ocean County Prosecutor E. David Millard announced on Thursday, the arrest of David Morrissey, 20 of New Egypt on four complaints charging him with burglaries and thefts related to four separate incidents on December 4, 1999 in New Egypt.

These burglaries were committed during the early morning hours between midnight and approximately 4:30 a.m. The crime sites were located within several hundred feet of each other on Main Street.

According to a release from the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor, the burglarized included the Plumsted Township Hall (Currency and money orders under $500) a State Farm Insurance Office (personal property, valued under $500) a Tooties Restaurant (currency under $500) and an Exxon Gas Station (currency under $500).

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Burglary Task Force and the Plumsted Township Police Department have been involved in a joint investigation of 16 burglaries in this jurisdiction as well as similar burglaries in Burlington and Monmouth counties.

After securing arrest warrants from the Honorable Edward J. Turnbach on February 22 with a bail figure of $35,000, no 10 percent, Plumsted Police Sgt. George Titko and Ocean County Prosecutor Investigators Kathy Timmerman and David Karpovage went to defendant Morrissey's 254 Lakewood Road New Egypt residence on February 23 at approximately 10:30 a.m. where he was arrested.

Information developed during this investigation has been provided to other jurisdictions to determine if additional charges are warranted. Prosecutor Millard complimented Plumsted Township Public Safety Director Al Dempster and the township's police department and Sgt. George Titko in particular for their efforts and investigative activities leading to this arrest.

Additionally, Prosecutor Investigators David Karpovage and Kathy Timmerman are acknowledged for their dedication and efforts in solving these series of burglaries.

Sgt. Titko said Friday that the "lawful arrest was a result of team effort on the part of the Plumsted Police Department. Information was gathered by each member of our department Senior Patrolman Robert Pintye, Patrolmen Robert Zack, Matthew Petrecca, Richard Lerche and myself."

The police sergeant added that a North Hanover resident who was arrested on different charges earlier in the week, had been questioned about her possible involvement in the burglaries. "Charges are pending at this time," Sgt. Titko.

Sgt. Titko said he expected an additional arrest soon and that the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office was seeking to have all the cases heard in the Toms River court. "This case involves at least 16 burglaries which were committed within three counties."

The officer added that this arrest was also through the cooperation and communication with local law enforcement agencies such as North Hanover Township's Police Department.

Sgt. Titko added that a local post office was also allegedly burglarized by Morrissey. "That is a federal charge. Postal Inspectors are involved now in this case."

A figure of $35,000 was given for the "four burglaries alone," Sgt. Titko said. If convicted, Morrissey potentially faces a prison sentence of between five and seven years.