ATerence Drive, Manalapan, woman who opened the front door of her home for what she thought was a delivery of flowers on Feb. 21 ended up the victim of a home invasion instead.
Terence Drive is off Thomas Drive, near Tennent Road.
According to a press release from the Manalapan Police Department, at about 10:51 a.m. the resident reported that three men posing as flower deliverymen had forced their way into her home after she opened the door. The men were said to be dressed in dark business suits and wearing white face paint.
After entering the residence, one of the suspects threatened the victim with a handgun while another suspect went through the residence, according to police.
When the home’s alarm was not deactivated after the door was opened, the system signaled an audible alarm to go off shortly thereafter. The alarm caused the would-be thieves to flee the premises, empty handed, in a dark-colored compact vehicle with an unknown registration.
Police said no one was injured during the incident.
The alarm company alerted the police, and officers arrived on the scene within two minutes of being called, according to Manalapan police Capt. Chris Marsala.
Officers canvassed the area in an attempt to locate the suspects or any possible witnesses to the incident with negative results. Police in surrounding towns were notified of the incident.
Detectives arrived shortly after to process the crime scene and to speak with the victim and her family members.
When asked on Feb. 23 if this was a random incident or if the victim’s home could have been targeted by the suspects, Marsala said there is nothing conclusive at this point to indicate whether this was a random crime or if the victim’s home was targeted for the home invasion.
If captured, the suspects could face charges of aggravated assault, robbery, burglary and theft, according to the press release.
Anyone with information relating to this incident is asked to contact Detective Thomas Mantle at 732-446-4300.
Contact Amy Rosen at [email protected]

