A Millville man is facing multiple charges in multiple jurisdictions following his arrest Wednesday around 7:20 pm in Whiting where Manchester Police arrested him for stealing a car at the Wawa on Route 70.

Manchester Police learned when arrived on the scene that the owner of the vehicle had left it unlocked and running while shopping in the store and that upon his return, discovered it had been stolen.

Officers then reviewed video surveillance footage and learned that a gold colored van had arrived in the parking lot shortly after the victim had parked and exited his vehicle.

A male occupant of the van was seen entering the victim’s vehicle and then fleeing the parking lot.

Immediately after confirming that the vehicle had been stolen, police entered the report into a nationwide stolen vehicle database and the same information was shared with surrounding jurisdictions.

It was about  one hour later when Patrolman Kevin Jacobs of the Seaside Heights Police Department located the vehicle and subsequently conducted a motor vehicle stop.

The driver, and lone occupant, 43 year old Phillip R. Catlett Jr., was then taken into custody without incident and was charged with possession of stolen property by Seaside Heights Police.

Catlett was then turned over to the Manchester Township Police Department.

As a result of the investigation, Catlett was charged with Burglary, Theft and Theft of Means of Conveyance.

Catlett was processed and then transported to the Ocean County Jail.

Manchester Police remind residents and visitors to never to leave vehicles unattended while running and to keep vehicles locked at all times.

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