A Fair Haven man faces burglary and other charges after a two-town spree early last Saturday in which he allegedly broke into three stores, using an axe to get into at least one.
Jonathan Chapin, 20, of Maple Avenue, was arrested as he rode a stolen bicycle away from the Krauszer’s convenience store on River Road – after taking a sweater-wrapped axe to the front door, police allege.
A FHPD report says that Chapin admitted wrapping an axe in a sweater and throwing it through the store door.
Police contend Chapin had previously kicked in the door at nearby Bike Haven, also on River Road, and had broken into the Welsh Farms on East Front Street in Red Bank.
The burglar entered the Welsh Farms shortly before 2 a.m. by smashing the front door, but took only about $20 worth of food products, according to Red Bank Captain Darren McConnell.
“Usually in these convenience store break-ins, they take cigarettes and lottery tickets and cash,” McConnell told redbankgreen. “So this case was weird.”
Authorities believe Chapin then proceeded to Bike Haven, and thence to Krauszer’s.
Along the way, Chapin also stole a bicycle from a River Road residence, said Fair Haven Detective Steve Schneider.
Special Officer Cevin Albert, who was in his patrol car at the firehouse near the Krauszer’s store, heard the smashing of the glass, Schneider said. He stopped Chapin as he attempted to flee on the bike, Schneider said.
Chapin was charged with burglary and resisting arrest after he refused to submit to being handcuffed, according to the report. He remained in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution Thursday on $26,000 bail, with no option to get out on a 10-percent down payment.
