Task force catches ‘scratch-off’ burglar

BY BRYAN  SABELLA
Staff Writer

BY BRYAN  SABELLA

Staff Writer

Teamwork made all the difference for local police in the case of an alleged burglar with a fondness for scratch-off lottery tickets.

Detectives from Edison, Woodbridge, Metuchen, Highland Park and Old Bridge watched Kip Manzoli, 34, of Perth Amboy for three days before finally catching him attempting to redeem stolen lottery tickets at a Perth Amboy gas station.

Manzoli was identified as a prime suspect in a series of burglaries throughout Middlesex County that followed a similar pattern; in addition to cash, the perpetrator had a habit of stealing scratch-off lottery tickets, police said.

Police targeted Manzoli after surveillance video and an eyewitness from two of the burglaries identified his white 1991 Chevy Blazer, Metuchen Police Lt. David Liantonio said.

On Jan. 16, officers in unmarked cars tailed Manzoli’s Blazer to Fords Super Value Liquors on New Brunswick Avenue in Woodbridge, where, at approximately 9:45 p.m., he was observed walking around to the back of the store, police said.

Shortly thereafter, the owner arrived and confirmed that a burglary had taken place. According to police reports, $3 from the cash register and numerous scratch-off lottery tickets were stolen.

Officers temporarily lost Manzoli, but picked him up again when he returned home, according to police.

Officers then followed him to a 24-hour Shell station at the corner of New Brunswick Avenue and Route 35 in Perth Amboy where he attempted to redeem several of the tickets, police said.

Manzoli was placed under arrest at approximately 10:15 p.m.

Manzoli was charged not only with the liquor store burglary in Fords, but with the burglaries of a Krauszer’s convenience store in Metuchen on Jan. 8 and at an Edison Stop & Shop on Jan. 6.

He is also a suspect in several other burglaries throughout the five municipalities, police said.

He was taken to Middlesex County Adult Correction Center and held on $150,000 bail.