Two Shore Men Busted for Raiding Vacant Barrier Island Home

Brick Township Police snag two men in a pickup truck for allegedly raiding a vacant barrier island home of a utility poll and electrical wiring. According to a Police report, at around 5:45 pm on Tuesday, September 9th, Steven Damato, 26 of Middletown and Benjamin Ellis, 42 of Toms River were observed removing the items from a Sunset Drive residence and fled in the direction of Route 35.

Shortly after, Police intercepted the pair in their vehicle on Route 35 near the Mantoloking Bridge. During the traffic stop, officers located the utility poll and wiring in the back of the pickup truck operated by Damato and learned that the men were planning to scrap the materials to make money. Police said they also found marijuana and drug paraphernalia in their possession. Both men were transported to Brick Police Headquarters.

Damato was charged with Theft, Possession of Marijuana and Possession of CDS Paraphernalia. He also satisfied a $500 cash bail for a warrant issued out of Toms River Municipal and was released on a criminal summons.

Ellis was charged with Theft and released on a criminal summons.