POINT PLEASANT: In the early morning hours of Monday, February 20, 2023, the Point Pleasant Police Department received several reports of residential burglaries occurring in the Bay Head Shores section of town. One homeowner reported several firearms stolen from their residence. After thorough investigation, officers determined that a single actor was responsible for this string of burglaries,

Officers canvassing the area subsequently located an individual identified as John Cottrell, a 46-year-old resident out of Jackson, NJ who matched the description of the suspect. At the time, Cottrell was in possession of evidence directly linking him to the aforementioned burglaries. As a result, Cottrell was placed under arrest and charged with multiple counts of Burglary, as well as other related offenses. Cottrell remains in custody at the Point Pleasant Police Department pending transport to the Ocean County Correctional Facility in accordance with bail reform. The stolen firearms were later recovered by the police. They have been subsequently returned to the owner.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation are urged to contact Point Pleasant Borough Police Department Det. Joseph Hynes at (732) 892-0060.

There are currently no threats to the safety of the public.