Trio of Area Teens Allegedly Conspired in Car Burglary Spree

A trio of area teens have been arrested and remain jailed on charges in connection with a car burglary spree spanning Red Bank and Middletown as well as a burglary at a Red Bank building from early to late November.

In Red Bank, on Nov. 7 Cole Murch (also known as Avery), 18, and Michael Simonelli, of the Leonardo section of Middletown, allegedly burglarized a car parked at Warf and Union avenues in Red Bank, stealing two six packs and $200 in cash from it, the complaint warrants say.

The same day, the two and Colin Mcharg, 19, of Atlantic Highlands, allegedly burglarized a Mechanic Street building stealing three paintings from it valued at $300 and a $35 mail slot, complaints said.

Also in Red Bank, on Nov. 23, another complaint said that Murch allegedly burglarized another car on East Front Street, stealing a Garmin Nuvi GPS unit valued at $200 from it.

All three were arrested on Nov. 26 on the earlier charges and charges from that day that they burglarized about seven vehicles, stealing roughly $200 worth of belongings from each in Middletown on Knollwood Drive and Kimberly Court and within the McGuire's Grove and Knollwood Gardens apartment complexes.

The men are charged with conspiring to commit burglary and theft for their alleged roles in the incidents, according to the complaints.

Murch also faces charges for aggravated assault and weapon possession after he allegedly held a kitchen knife to the throat of a 15-year-old on Nov. 1, according to the criminal complaints.

The men remain held on bond at the Monmouth County Correctional Facility in Freehold, according to inmate records.

They are scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 16 to answer to the Nov. 26 charges and Dec. 5 at 8:30 a.m. to answer to the charges based on the prior incidents.