OCEAN TOWNSHIP, NJ – On January 01, 2022, at approximately 4:07 pm, Patrolman Kyle Pimm and Corporal Steve Mandarine were dispatched to the CVS Pharmacy located on Route 9 and Bryant Road following a reported motor vehicle theft investigation. The victim contacted the police department and indicated that an unknown actor(s) entered his vehicle that was parked in the parking lot and fled the scene traveling westbound on Wells Mills Road. The vehicle, a 2020 blue Toyota, was left unlocked and running in the parking lot while the victim was delivering food to an employee within the CVS.
The vehicle was later located near exit 52 on the Garden State Parkway by the New Jersey State Police. The vehicle was involved in a motor vehicle accident at that location. The initial on-scene accident investigation revealed that the occupants of the vehicle had fled the scene following the accident. Investigating Troopers later located the vehicle’s operator and passengers at a local gas station a short distance from the accident scene.
The operator and passengers were later identified as Equallie Bumpass age 19 and Javier Lebrongarcia age 18 both from Pleasantville, NJ. Troopers also located two juveniles who also may have been passengers within the vehicle.
The Ocean Township Detective Bureau responded to the accident scene to continue their investigation. Det. Jeremy Samuel arrested Bumpass and Lebrongaria and charged them both with theft of a motor vehicle and conspiracy to commit theft. Both were processed and released on their own recognizance pending a scheduled court hearing.
The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents.
Juvenile charges are pending further investigation.
Additionally, the Ocean Township Police Department does not release photos of arrested subjects. The public and the press are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
All residents are being reminded to not leave your vehicles unlocked and running.