Resident interrupts burglary at home

HOWELL – A man who was wanted in South Carolina was arrested in Howell following his alleged attempt to break into a home.

Police said that on the evening of Dec. 30, a resident of Asbury Avenue interrupted a burglary upon arriving home.

When the resident observed the suspect, the man fled from the house, but could not leave the scene in his vehicle because it had been blocked in by the resident. The suspect instead fled the scene on foot, according to police.

Police said the vehicle the man was driving had been reported as stolen.

Howell police officers established a perimeter and Sgt. Nick Bondarew and K-9 Vito tracked the suspect. About an hour later, the suspect was observed and caught by Patrolman Nick Austin at the Collingswood circle on Route 34. Police said K-9 Vito was close behind the suspect.

The suspect, who police identified as a 52-year-old male resident of Wall Township, was taken into custody and found to be wanted by South Carolina law enforcement authorities for a stolen vehicle offense.

Police said the suspect was positively identified by the resident who came upon the attempted burglary on Asbury Avenue. The suspect was initially placed in the Monmouth County jail, Freehold Township.

Howell police are also investigating a residential burglary that occurred on Megill Road on the morning of Dec. 30. Anyone with information regarding the burglary on Megill Road or the attempted burglary on Asbury Avenue is asked to contact police at 732-938-4111.