Matawan PD Continues Search for Alleged Burglar

Police are continuing their search for a male suspect who eluded arrest Wednesday night in a case that involves burglaries in Matawan Borough, Aberdeen Township, Manalapan, Spotswood, Keyport, Marlboro Township and Middletown.

According to Matawan Police Lt. Ben Smith, officers responded to a suspicious persons call on Rustic Lane in Matawan on the evening of Saturday, July 31.

When the officers arrived to the scene two suspects fled on foot. A 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix parked on Rustic Lane was impounded. Inside the car police found money, GPS devices, cell phones, iPods and car chargers. These items were proceeds from four car burglaries earlier that night, Lt. Smith said. Police also recovered a cross bow and ammunition for a shot gun.

Further investigation led police to identify Sean Finley, 19, and Nickolas Scarpellino, 19, as suspects in the burglaries. Both men live on Matawan Avenue in Matawan with Finley's mother, police said.

In addition to the July 31 car burglaries, Police believe Finley and Scarpellino are linked to more burglaries in Matawan Borough, Aberdeen Township, Manalapan, Spotswood, Marlboro Township and Middletown.

They are also wanted by the NJ State Police for the burglaries of 13 boats in Keyport. Two weapons stolen from the boats were recovered in Finley's home after his arrest.

Police tracked Finley and Scarpellino to a house they were staying at in Marlboro Wednesday, Aug. 3 around midnight. Both Finley and Scarpellino fled on foot from the house when police arrived.

Finley was caught and arrested. He was brought to Matawan Borough Police Department where he was processed and transferred to Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Scarpellino eluded arrest for a second time. He was , Aug. 4, at the corner of Route 79 and Tennent Road in Marlboro. This sighting prompted a joint effort from Matawan Borough Police, Marlboro Township Police, a Tinton Fall's K-9 Unit and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department. A Monmouth County helicopter was also used to help try and locate Scarpellino.

Finley is charged with resisting arrest and criminal possession of a weapon. Multiple other charges are pending.

Lt. Smith said when Scarpellino is caught, he will be charged with resisting arrest and multiple other offenses.