PACKAGE THIEF ARRESTED

DATE/TIME: 12/21/2007
LOCATION: Middlebrook Drive
OFFICERS INVOLVED: Kate Delanoy, Michael Sorrentino, Mathew Jackiewicz, and Detective Gregory Schenck and Sgt. Kevin Faller.
ACCUSED: David Oakes, Age 40 of Staten Island, NY.

NARRATIVE
     On 12/21/2007 at approximately 12:05 pm, Police were called to the area of Middlebrook Drive in reference to a man removing recently delivered packages from the front porch of a residence. The caller witnessed a man walk up to the front porch of her neighbor’s house and pick up a large card board box package. The man then placed the package in a pick up truck and drove away. The caller provided police with a description of the man and the pick up truck he was driving. A short time later, as police arrived into the area, Officer Kate Delanoy observed the pick up truck and stopped it on Deal Road near Roller Road. The driver was identified as David Oakes. Further investigation revealed that Oakes did in fact take the package from the front porch knowing it did not belong to him. Oakes was arrested on scene and taken to OTPD for further processing. His pick up truck, a 2001 Dodge, was subsequently seized under state criminal forfeiture guidelines as a result of the investigation.
A follow up investigation conducted by Detective Gregory Schenck and Detective Sergeant Kevin Faller resulted in Oakes being involved with numerous package thefts throughout Ocean Township, Deal and Long Branch. The packages contained items that included electronic devices, clothing and toys. The value of these thefts was over $10,000.00. Oakes was charged with four counts of theft in Ocean Twp. and later released on $35,000.00 bail. The investigation is continuing and charges are pending from Deal PD and Long Branch PD.