Cops: Manahawkin, LEHT Men Busted Stealing Catalytic Converters

Thieves are apparently becoming more and more specialized these days.

Police in Stafford Township have arrested Richard Roccia Jr., 44, of Manahawkin, and Steven Weber, 54, of Little Egg Harbor, for burglary and theft in connection with a number of reports of catalytic converters being stolen out of several vehicles at Barlow Buick GMC.

Between February 8th and 10th, police received the reports of the thefts. Their surveillance in the next few days paid off. Here are the details from Stafford Township Police:

On Wednesday, February 12, 2020 Patrolman Albert Haldenwang, with assistance from the evening patrol shift, conducted proactive surveillance at the Barlow Buick GMC dealership during the suspected hours of theft. During that time Officer Haldenwang observed a suspicious vehicle stop behind the dealership on Jennings Road, immediately followed by the sounds of an electric saw cutting metal in the parking lot. Stafford Township Police quickly approached the subject, who was actively cutting a catalytic converter out of a GMC Acadia in the lot. The subject, identified as Richard Roccia Jr., age 44 of Manahawkin, was placed under arrest and transported to police headquarters.

 

Further investigation revealed that Roccia had an accomplice, described as a subject named “Steven driving a black Volvo”. With the vague description given, patrol units continued to search the area. A short time after, a vehicle matching that description was located in the area by Patrolman John Reed. Officer Reed made contact with the driver identified as Steven Weber, age 54 of Little Egg Harbor. After a brief investigation it was determined that Weber was an accomplice to the crime, and was placed under arrest.