POINT PLEASANT BEACH: This morning at approx. 822 am Officers responded to Dunkin Donuts on Rt. 35 South for a report of an attempted vehicle theft. The victim stated he was in Dunkin Donuts, when he came out, he observed the suspect opening the door of his vehicle. As the victim approached, the suspect got into another vehicle and fled northbound on Rt. 35. The suspect fleeing vehicle is stolen out of Pennsylvania. Brielle and Monmouth County were advised of the incident. There was NO Altercation between the victim and and the suspect. The suspects are believed to be from North Jersey area. The Ocean County Auto Theft Task Force was advised of the incident. The Investigation is ongoing at this time.

Mayor Paul Kanitra said the following “We’re lucky to have incredible Police protecting us here in Point Pleasant Beach. They don’t have the luxury of being able to say the following…. so I will. This state is broken. Why else do you think we’ve gotten to the point where gangs from North Jersey continually come to Monmouth and Ocean to steal cars in broad daylight? Take your pick of reasons. Is it our pandering laws meant to buy votes instead of protecting us? Is it bail reform which puts criminals back on the street to commit crime time and time again? How about the lack of accountability for juveniles? A lot of the car thieves are under 18 because the gangs are smart enough to know they face little no penalty. What about the attacks on police in general, painting them as the bad guys and undermining their authority? Is it simply a lack of funding to go after gangs and the lack of a spine to crack down appropriately? What is indisputable is that one of the above or all of the above is contributing to it and weak kneed politicians should be held accountable. Think about this the next time you’re in a voting booth or when you pay your insanely high car insurance premiums.”