Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sgt. Brian Egan (732-531-1113 Ext. 229)
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2014

Four charged in connection with Deal residential burglaries

Four individuals have been charged in connection with six residential burglaries which occurred within the Borough of Deal between July 17 and August 1, 2014.

Christopher Mendez, 20, of Ocean Township and Robert Rizzolo, 21, of Oceanport, were each charged with six counts of burglary and theft, as well as one count of conspiracy to commit theft, relating to the burglaries in which a total of $10,520 in proceeds were taken.

A three month investigation by Deal Police Department Detective Christopher Guy revealed that the group would target unlocked and open garages of residential homes during the daytime hours and subsequently remove various items. The men would either sell the stolen proceeds at local secondhand turnaround stores or place them on Craig’s List, meeting potential buyers at various locations throughout Monmouth County.

Amanda Emery, 19, of Eatontown, and Rebecca Seliga, 22, of Jackson Township, were also charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy to commit theft after it was determined that they pawned several of the stolen proceeds. Those items were subsequently retrieved by police and returned to the victims. Both females were released on criminal summonses.

Bail was set at $32,500 with a ten percent option by Deal Municipal Court Judge Scott Basen for both Mendez and Rizzolo. Mendez was released after posting bail on October 24 and Rizzolo was committed to the Monmouth County Correctional Institute on October 29, where he remains lodged as of this release.

It is reminded that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Photos of those charged are not available at this time.