During the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 30, 2018, Lacey Detectives assisted by members of Ocean County SWAT and the Berkeley Township Detective Bureau, executed a search warrant in the 1300 block of Norwood Street, Forked River, NJ. The suspect arrested was identified as 47-year-old Lance Romano who is currently renting a room in the home. The arrest stemmed from an ongoing investigation that started some months back in the summer of 2017.
Early in the summer of 2017 local residents reported numerous vehicle burglaries occurring in the Barnegat Pines portion of the township. Many of the incidents were consistent and assumed to be committed by the same suspect. As the investigation continued, focus was placed on Romano as the suspect involved.
Lance Romano was charged with eight counts of burglary and seven counts of theft. He was released on his own recognizance in accordance with bail reform. Detectives anticipate returning numerous pieces of stolen property to their owners.