MANALAPAN – Police are investigating an act of criminal mischief that may be part of a social media trend.
Manalapan Police Capt. Thomas Barstow reported that at 5:45 p.m. Aug. 4, a resident of Mercer Lane in the Monmouth Heights development called police to report damage to his vehicle.
The resident said the vehicle was parked in the driveway of his home and was damaged when unknown individuals knocked over a basketball goal, causing it to fall on to the vehicle.
Police said the incident may be part of a social media trend known as the Drive-by Dunk Challenge in which individuals pass a residence and attempt to slam dunk objects through a basketball hoop.
Anyone with information regarding the incident on Mercer Lane is asked to contact police. Patrolman Matthew Meyler conducted the investigation.
In other incidents reported by police:
• On Aug. 6 at 4:18 p.m., Patrolman Christopher Makwinski responded to Wegmans, Route 9, for a report of stolen property. A resident of Marlboro reported that her wallet was stolen from her purse. The woman told police about $500 in cash and credit cards were in her wallet.
• On Aug. 6 at 2:09 a.m., a motorist on Gordons Corner Road reported observing several damaged mailboxes in the road. When officers arrived at the scene they discovered that six mailboxes belonging to six different homeowners on Gordons Corner Road had been intentionally damaged by unknown individuals. Patrolman Sean McCarthy investigated the incident.
• On Aug. 5 at 1:10 a.m., patrols responded to Yates Road to investigate a report of three juveniles who were attempting to enter parked vehicles in the residential development. While officers were canvassing the area, they observed a male walking along Business Route 33 who fit the description of one of the suspects.
When officers attempted to make contact with the suspect he fled on foot. Following a foot pursuit, the male was arrested and charged with burglary and obstructing the administration of the law.
Anyone who believes they could be the victim of vehicle burglaries in the area of Yates Road is asked to contact police. Patrolman Dennis O’Brien and Patrolman Sean McCarthy handled the investigation with the assistance of Detective Dominick Donatelli.
• On Aug. 3, a resident of Manalapan told police that an individual or individuals had fraudulently used his Best Buy credit card to purchase a laptop computer valued at approximately $1,599. No monetary loss was incurred by the resident.
• On July 31 at 4:15 p.m., officers responded to Wegmans, Route 9, regarding a shoplifting complaint. A loss prevention officer reported that a male had exited the store with $380.98 worth of unpaid merchandise.
Officers located the male suspect on Route 9 south near Craig Road. When the suspect was confronted by officers he fled on foot in an attempt to evade police. Following a short foot pursuit, the 47-year-old resident of Manalapan was arrested and charged with shoplifting and obstruction of justice.
The man was found to have a warrant for his arrest issued by the Marlboro Municipal Court in the amount of $1,000. He was initially placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township. The arrest was handled by Patrolman Peter Bylsma.