A months-long, multi-agency dragnet has culminated in the arrest of a suspect authorities say is responsible for a sweeping string of commercial burglaries across Ocean and Monmouth Counties—racking up more than 230 criminal charges in the process.
The suspect, Craig T. Orler, a resident of Berkeley Township, now stands accused of unleashing a wave of burglaries that spanned Brick, Manchester, Marlboro, Howell, and beyond. Charges against him include burglary, theft, criminal mischief, receiving stolen property, and fencing-related offenses.
The investigation began in late 2024 after Brick Township Police responded to a staggering 40 break-ins at the Cube Smart storage facility off Route 70. The suspect, clad in black and equipped with bolt cutters, reportedly breached fences and storage units under cover of night, making off with high-value items including an ATV, motorcycle, car parts, and other personal property.
The break came when detectives traced stolen items being resold by a person of interest. A court-authorized raid at 27 Mallard Road in Berkeley—executed by a joint task force including Manchester, Berkeley, and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force—yielded key evidence, including the stolen ATV and motorcycle. Both Craig Orler and Melissa Orler were arrested at the scene for receiving stolen goods.
Subsequent warrants confirmed Craig Orler as the central figure in the sprawling burglary ring. On April 28, 2025, Brick Township Police took him into custody at his home. He now faces 90 charges from Brick Township alone, with dozens more from surrounding towns.
Among the more brazen heists attributed to Orler:
Manchester Township: A smash-and-grab at Tri-State Vending on Oct. 27 netted $4,000 in cash and critical vending keys. Weeks later, Te-Amo’s Smoke Shop was cleaned out of over $5,600 in merchandise and an ATM.
Howell Township: Orler is accused of burglarizing I-Storage, Gorilla Vapes, The Guitar Shop, and Chatzkel’s Closet between November 2024 and April 2025.
Marlboro Township: Authorities believe he hit 40 storage units at Marlboro Self Storage, escaping with motorcycles, tools, and high-end bicycles.
The case is ongoing, and additional charges may follow.