A Howell Township police officer on routine patrol early Friday morning disrupted an attempted theft of four all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and helped recover the stolen property.
The incident unfolded just before 3 a.m., when Patrolman Brandon Rollo spotted a man riding an ATV near West Farms Road, attempting to cross Route 9. Rollo initiated a traffic stop to investigate the suspicious activity.
As Rollo approached the rider, a dispatch alert came over the radio reporting a burglary at a Stuart Street residence, where a homeowner had just discovered that four ATVs had been stolen.
Upon hearing the broadcast, the ATV driver fled on foot, police said.
A coordinated search effort quickly followed, involving Patrol Officers Michael Maccia, Jerry Perez, Michael Divona, John Nista, and Sgt. Edward Homiek, who established a perimeter. Sgt. Nicholas Bondarew and his K-9 partner, Vito, also joined the effort in tracking the suspect.
Despite the swift response, the suspect evaded capture. However, all four stolen ATVs were located and returned to the homeowner.