Cliffwood Beach Man Arrested Twice in Same Night

A Cliffwood Beach man faces multiple charges after he allegedly burglarized a car in Aberdeen and subsequently punched a hole in a wall at the Aberdeen Township Police Station.

Police received a 911 call from an Orchard Street residence near the intersection of Center Street at about 11:28 p.m. on Sept. 18, according to Chief John Powers.

Officer Matthew McDow responded to the scene and was directed toward the side of the home for a suspicious person, Powers said. McDow observed a man, later identified as Benjamin Monroe, 18, of Cliffwood Beach, rummaging through a parked vehicle.

When the officer ordered Monroe to stop, Monroe allegedly began running from the scene in the direction of Lennox Road. Monroe then jumped the fence surrounding the Aberdeen Township Public Works Facility, Powers said, but was taken into custody by McDow shortly after.

Monroe was brought to the Aberdeen Township Police Department where he was charged with burglary, criminal trespass, resisting arrest and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on his own recognizance.

According to Powers, at about 2:20 a.m. when Monroe was released, the dispatcher heard a disturbance in the lobby. It was discovered that a hole had been punched through a wall in the lobby of the building.

Sgt. Raymond Sosa then went to again arrest Monroe, who allegedly refused to place his hands behind his back and struggled with police. 

Monroe was taken into custody and charged with an additional count of criminal mischief and an additional count of resisting arrest.

Officer John Zeller and Officer Christopher DeSarno also assisted in the second arrest.

Monroe was held in a cell at the police station until the township held court the morning of Sept. 19. Bail was set at $10,000 with not 10 percent option.

Monroe was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Facility.